President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rooting out corruption, revealing that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) recovered over GHS 600 million by the end of 2025.
Delivering the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Parliament, the president addressed the growing public demand for swift accountability regarding the alleged embezzlement of public funds by former officials. While acknowledging the nation’s “impatience”,
President Mahama emphasised that his government would not sacrifice constitutional due process for the sake of political optics.
The president detailed a significant uptick in white-collar crime investigations, noting that EOCO has processed 462 cases.
Currently, 15 of these are under active prosecution. Beyond financial crimes, the President highlighted successes in curbing organised crime, specifically the dismantling of transnational car-jacking syndicates which led to the recovery of 29 luxury vehicles.
“The government remains resolute that corruption will not be tolerated, regardless of status or political affiliation,” Mahama told the House.
He added that the Attorney General’s Office is employing a “twin-track” approach: criminal prosecution coupled with non-conviction-based asset recovery to claw back stolen resources for national development.
Acknowledging the public’s desire for “swift justice”, he drew a sharp contrast between the current democratic era and the “extrajudicial retribution” seen under past military regimes.
“I may be as impatient as everyone else to see justice done, but painstaking investigations must be conducted,” President Mahama stated.
The President reminded citizens of his January 7, 2025, oath to uphold the 1992 constitution, arguing that these lengthy legal procedures are the only shield protecting every Ghanaian from potential state abuse.
“This process is necessary to protect us all,” he concluded, “and to ensure that only those guilty of offences against the state are punished.”
Excerpt from President Mahama’s Statement on Anti-Corruption
“As of December 2025, EOCO had recovered more than GHS 600 million.
The Office has investigated 462 cases, with 15 currently under prosecution, and dismantled transnational car-jacking syndicates, recovering 29 luxury vehicles.
Mr Speaker, the Government remains resolute that corruption will not be tolerated, regardless of status or political affiliation. The Attorney General’s Office will continue to use both criminal prosecution and non-conviction-based asset recovery mechanisms to ensure that stolen public resources are returned for national development.
I understand that a large majority of Ghanaians are impatient to see those who abused their trust in office held to account.
There were periods when, under military regimes and unconstitutional governments, extrajudicial means could be used to exact retribution against persons perceived as corrupt or who had abused the public trust.
This may have appeared as swift justice, but many regrettable excesses were recorded.
In 1992, we overwhelmingly adopted the 1992 constitution to accept governance by the rule of law.
On 7th January 2025, I swore before the people of Ghana to uphold the 1992 Constitution.
I may be as impatient as everyone else to see justice done, but painstaking investigations must be conducted, dockets must be prepared, charges must be filed, and the accused must have their day in court, including appealing even the smallest points of law to higher courts.
This process is necessary to protect us all against abuse or ill-treatment of citizens and to ensure that only those guilty of offences against the state are punished.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
