'I do not take any enjoyment, pride in prosecuting people if they have done no wrong' — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that his administration has no intention of prosecuting innocent people, stressing that all accountability cases will be handled in accordance with due process and the rule of law.

Speaking at the Citizens' Engagement in the Volta Region on Friday, July 17, the President dismissed suggestions that the government's anti-corruption drive is aimed at persecuting political opponents, insisting that prosecutions are based solely on available evidence.

He expressed confidence in Ghana's investigative, prosecutorial and judicial institutions, saying they provide adequate safeguards to ensure fairness and justice for all.

“I also want to touch on accountability. 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. I believe that our prosecutorial system, investigative system, and judicial system grant enough leverage for people to have justice,” President Mahama said.

He explained that decisions to prosecute are taken only after evidence has been carefully assessed, adding that individuals who believe they have been wrongfully prosecuted have the opportunity to seek justice through the courts.

“It shouldn’t be like we’re trying to hound our political opponents or something. We proceed on the basis of the evidence we have received, and then the evidence is weighed, and if it is sufficient, we proceed,” he stated.

President Mahama noted that investigations into alleged corruption often take considerable time because state agencies must thoroughly review evidence before taking action.

According to him, institutions such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) typically spend several months investigating allegations and building strong cases before making arrests or initiating prosecutions.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to promoting accountability, the President said no public official would be protected from investigation where there is credible evidence of wrongdoing.

“I just want to assure you that accountability is still our priority,” he said.