President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed that his administration’s accountability agenda is driven by evidence and due process, insisting that ongoing investigations are not intended to target political opponents.
Speaking during the Citizens’ Engagement in the Volta Region, the President said he derives no satisfaction from prosecuting individuals who have committed no offence, stressing that all investigations are grounded in credible evidence.
“We do not harbour any malice against any person, and indeed, I do not take any enjoyment or pride in prosecuting people if they have done no wrong,” he said.
President Mahama expressed confidence in Ghana’s prosecutorial, investigative and judicial systems, noting that they provide adequate safeguards to ensure justice is served and protect individuals from malicious prosecution.
“I believe that our prosecutorial system, investigative system and judicial system grant enough leverage for people to have justice, and so nobody would, out of political vendetta or malice, prosecute anybody if you’ve done no wrong,” he stated.
He added that the courts remain the final arbiters in cases where individuals believe they have been unfairly prosecuted.
“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 said.
The President rejected claims that the government’s accountability campaign is aimed at hounding political opponents, explaining that investigations only proceed after evidence has been thoroughly assessed by the appropriate institutions.
“It shouldn’t be like we’re trying to hound our political opponents. We proceed on the basis of evidence we have received, and then the evidence is weighed, and if it is sufficient, we proceed,” he said.
According to him, investigations often take months because state agencies must carefully examine allegations before taking enforcement action.
“There are many times we’ve had evidence. Sometimes the evidence comes and it is not substantive. That is why the whole system of accountability takes time because you need to be thorough,” he noted.
President Mahama said that by the time agencies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) or other law enforcement bodies make an arrest, extensive investigative work would already have been completed.
“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.
He reaffirmed that accountability remains a key priority of his administration and pledged that investigations into alleged wrongdoing would continue wherever sufficient evidence exists.
The President also stressed that the government’s anti-corruption drive would apply equally to officials serving under his administration.
“Like I keep saying, 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.
President Mahama disclosed that he has consistently advised ministers and political appointees to adhere strictly to established procedures and avoid actions that could expose them to allegations of misconduct.
He further encouraged government officials to seek Cabinet approval whenever they face uncertainty over 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.
Credit: Adomonline