President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to exercise patience with the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, emphasizing that due process is essential in prosecuting corruption cases.
Speaking at a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at Jubilee House on Monday, March 30, 2026, President Mahama acknowledged public demands for swift action but stressed that thorough investigations are necessary to ensure justice and secure convictions in court.
He recalled that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had promised, ahead of the 2024 elections, to prosecute officials who misused public funds under the previous government. However, he explained that arrests and prosecutions cannot happen immediately, as each case must go through proper legal procedures.
“The public may say, ‘We want to hurry and build the dockets,’ and then a judge could dismiss the case. The Minister of Justice is under pressure, but he must build strong cases so that convictions can be secured in court. We all need to be patient with the process,” the President said.
He cited the All Africa Games as an example, noting that investigations had taken time, with the Auditor-General’s report only recently received. The next step, he said, is to carefully review the findings, prepare charges, and ensure those accused have the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
“For instance, after we came into office, the Auditor-General started an audit into the All Africa Games. We have only recently got the report. From there, charges must be carefully prepared, investigations conducted, and legal processes followed so the accused have their day in court,” he explained.
President Mahama emphasized that accountability applies not only to past mismanagement but also to current breaches of the law. He welcomed the establishment of new courts specifically to handle cases arising from Auditor-General reports, saying these will help ensure that those found culpable are appropriately prosecuted.
