President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims that his administration’s accountability agenda is aimed at targeting political opponents, insisting that investigations and prosecutions under his government will be based solely on credible evidence and due process.
Addressing residents and stakeholders during a Citizens’ Engagement in the Volta Region as part of his ongoing Resetting Ghana Tour, President Mahama said he had no interest in pursuing individuals who had committed no offence.
“I do not take any enjoyment or pride in prosecuting people if they have done no wrong,” he said, stressing that Ghana’s investigative, prosecutorial and judicial systems provide safeguards to ensure justice.
According to the President, individuals who believe they have been wrongly prosecuted have the opportunity to seek redress through the courts, which remain the final arbiters in such matters.
“If you’ve done no wrong, and you’re being prosecuted maliciously, the courts will be able to uphold your rights and set you free,” he stated.
President Mahama explained that state institutions such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) only proceed with enforcement actions after extensive investigations and assessment of available evidence.
He noted that investigations often take time because authorities must establish the strength and credibility of allegations before taking action.
“By the time EOCO, OSP, or somebody comes and arrests the person, it means that months of work have taken place reviewing the evidence,” he said.
The President maintained that the government’s accountability efforts were not designed to “hound” political opponents, but rather to ensure that public officials are held responsible when evidence of wrongdoing exists.
“We proceed on the basis of evidence we have received, and then the evidence is weighed, and if it is sufficient, we proceed,” he added.
President Mahama further assured Ghanaians that the fight against corruption would apply equally to members of his own administration, warning that government appointees found to have abused public trust would face the consequences.
“The sword does not cut only one way. If we find evidence that any of our current appointees or persons working in government under our tenure have also abused the public trust, the way the sword is cutting that way, it will cut this way too,” he said.
He disclosed that he had repeatedly advised ministers and public officials serving under his administration to follow due process and avoid actions that could expose them to allegations of misconduct.
“I always caution my appointees to be very careful. Be sure you follow the procedure. Don’t cut corners,” President Mahama stated.
He also urged ministers and senior officials to seek Cabinet’s guidance whenever they are uncertain about policy or administrative decisions.
“If you have any doubts, bring it to Cabinet. Let’s all take a look at it and take a collective decision on it,” he added.
President Mahama reiterated that accountability remains a key priority of his administration and pledged that investigations into alleged wrongdoing would continue wherever credible evidence is established.