Mahama defends due process, cautions against rushed corruption prosecutions

President John Dramani Mahama has defended the pace of corruption-related prosecutions, urging Ghanaians to respect due process and avoid pressuring authorities into rushing cases that could collapse in court.

Speaking during a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations, the President stressed that adherence to the rule of law remains critical in ensuring justice and accountability.

“If we were in an unconstitutional government, I would have arrested them, put them in a cell and asked them to prove that they are innocent,” he said.

“But when you have the rule of law, they are innocent until proven guilty.”

Mahama acknowledged growing public frustration over the perceived slow pace of prosecutions but cautioned that thorough investigations are necessary to secure convictions.

“Better to investigate properly and take a well-prepared case to court than to be moved by the pressures of the public and hurry a docket that will be thrown out,” he stated.

He explained that the legal process requires time, from investigations to evidence gathering and court proceedings, noting that suspects are entitled to legal representation and due process.

“When they go to court and they are granted bail, you cannot stop them from going about their normal activities until the court proves them guilty,” he added.

The President revealed that the Attorney General is currently handling hundreds of cases while simultaneously overseeing ongoing investigations to build strong dockets.

“The Minister of Justice is under extreme pressure… he must build the cases thoroughly so that when he goes to court, he can get a conviction,” Mahama said.

He also highlighted the complexity of Ghana’s judicial system, where legal challenges and appeals can delay proceedings.

“On every single point of law, you can appeal… and the process must pause. That is how the system works,” he explained.

Mahama reiterated that while accountability remains a priority, it must be pursued within the framework of the Constitution.

“As long as we believe in a rule-based system under the law, we must have the patience to let the law take its course.”

He further disclosed that new courts have been established to handle cases arising from Auditor-General reports, aimed at strengthening accountability and expediting justice.