President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his determination to lead what he described as the most accountable administration in Ghana’s recent history, insisting that no official in his government will be protected if found guilty of wrongdoing.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the Christian Council of Ghana, the President offered a candid assessment of the country’s long-standing challenges with corruption and public distrust, vowing that his tenure will mark a decisive break from the cycle of impunity.
President Mahama stressed that his stance on accountability is not motivated by personal animosity toward any political opponent or previous administration. Rather, he said, the recurring pattern where governments ignore scandals while in office only to accuse successors of “witch-hunting” when investigations begin must end.
“When a government is in office and scandals are taking place, they don’t deal with them, and so they leave it until a new government comes. And when that government starts investigating the cases of corruption, then the previous government says you are witch-hunting us; this is political persecution.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He revealed that he regularly reminds his ministers about the gravity of their responsibilities and the consequences of misconduct. According to him, he has made it clear at cabinet meetings that the same prosecutorial zeal applied to officials of the previous government will be applied without hesitation to any of his appointees who engage in corruption.
“Woe betides the first person who brings a scandal to this government. We shall hang them on a cross, and they will follow our Lord Jesus Christ; the exception is that such a person cannot resurrect again.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Restoring Public Trust in a Democratic System
The President noted that restoring public trust in Ghana’s democratic system requires visible and uncompromising action against corruption. He argued that disillusionment—particularly among young people—was widespread ahead of the 2024 elections because many believed that voting made no difference, as political leaders ultimately mismanaged resources.
“If we want our people to continue to have faith in our democracy, then we must show that the political elite is capable of governing accountably”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama also revisited a controversial remark he made before the 2024 elections, which drew criticism but, according to him, was largely misinterpreted. At the time, he warned that Ghana was not immune to political instability if its leaders failed to govern responsibly. He explained that his comment was not a prediction but a caution based on examples from other countries.
“If the political class does not get its ass together, it is possible that there could be a military coup or a civilian uprising. Civilian uprisings are worse than military coups because they end up in chaos and anarchy.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Citing Sri Lanka’s political crisis as an illustration, he described how citizens, pushed to their limits, stormed the Prime Minister’s residence, swam in his pool, raided his refrigerator, and drove leaders into exile. “That is worse than a coup d’état,” he emphasised, arguing that Ghana must avoid such a fate by reinforcing accountable and transparent governance.
Best Model for Accountable Governance
Outlining his broader vision, President Mahama said his primary mission is to use the mandate given to him by Ghanaians to implement reforms that are irreversible, even under future administrations.
He dismissed suggestions that his government is moving too slowly on corruption cases, insisting that due process cannot be substituted with public pressure or media sensationalism.
“A person must have his day in court, and a judge must look at the evidence and decide whether he’s guilty or not. Society can condemn the person as guilty, but when you present the facts in court, the judge might have a different opinion.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama criticised calls for rapid prosecution without adequate evidence, warning that such an approach would lead to cases collapsing in court. “However guilty you think a person is, if you don’t gather the evidence and you just rush a case to court, the judge will throw it out,” he said.
He noted that investigative bodies are steadily building dockets, and cases will proceed only when the evidence is strong enough to stand legal scrutiny.
“We’re not going to rush those cases because the public is baying for blood. We’re going to gather the evidence properly so that when we take these people to court, we’re sure of what it is we’ve accused them of.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He assured the Christian Council that the fight against corruption will be impartial, professional, and firmly grounded in institutional strengthening. Providing logistics, improving investigations, and ensuring proper docket building, he said, are all part of the government’s strategy to support enforcement agencies. “We are committed to it. It will be impartial and fair,” President Mahama concluded.
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