Ghanaians have been reassured by President John Dramani Mahama that his administration does not want to prosecute innocent persons, emphasising that all accountability issues will be handled in compliance with the rule of law and due process.
Speaking on Friday, July 17, at the Citizens’ Engagement in the Volta Region, the President refuted claims that the government’s anti-corruption campaign is intended to persecute political opponents, maintaining that prosecutions are based only on the evidence that is now available.
He said that Ghana’s investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial systems offer sufficient protections to guarantee justice and equity 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 stated.
He clarified that decisions to prosecute are only made following a thorough evaluation of the evidence, and that those who feel they have been unfairly punished have the chance to pursue justice through the legal system.
“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 said.
President Mahama pointed out that because state authorities must carefully examine the facts before acting, investigations into alleged corruption frequently take a long time.
He claims that before making arrests or starting charges, organisations like the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) usually spend several months looking into allegations and developing solid cases.
“I just want to assure you that accountability is still our priority,” he said.
The President reiterated his government’s commitment to encouraging accountability by stating that no public figure will be shielded from an investigation in cases where there is solid proof of misconduct.
Source: newsthemegh.com