From courtrooms to closed files: What message is President Mahama sending?—Citizen Akoto

The John Dramani Mahama government appears to be disregarding the trust placed in it by the very voters who returned him as President of Ghana. While we have forgiven the delay in naming ministers within the promised 14 days, the recent discontinuation of ongoing corruption cases has raised serious concerns.

Many of these cases were actively being prosecuted by the previous government, with significant resources invested. Now, under the current administration, the Attorney-General (AG) has abruptly halted these proceedings. Many believe this decision was made at the President’s direction, but no clear explanation has been given to the public.

As citizens, we expected transparency from President Mahama, especially since one of his key campaign promises was to tackle corruption. During the election, he criticized the previous administration for dismissing corruption charges against its officials, even labeling the former president as a “Clearing Agent.” This stance resonated with many Ghanaians, contributing significantly to his victory.

However, barely a month into office, President Mahama has instructed the AG to withdraw several high-profile cases, including:
The infamous Saglemi Housing Scandal , involving allegations of financial mismanagement.

The case against the former Director-General of SSNIT, Dr. Ernest Thompson, along with others, accused of financial impropriety.
The trial of the ex-Cocobod CEO, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, and businessman Seidu Agongo, linked to massive losses for the nation.

These cases allegedly caused Ghana to lose billions of cedis. Their sudden dismissal without any stated reasons leaves the public questioning the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.

Ghanaians are now asking: If the President cannot hold his own party members accountable, how can he ensure accountability for others? How can we trust his promise to investigate and prosecute corruption when he dismisses existing cases without explanation?

President Mahama recently set up a committee to gather evidence of corruption during the previous administration. Yet, the discontinuation of these trials contradicts that effort. It raises suspicions that the government may be protecting certain individuals or avoiding embarrassment.

We urge President Mahama to provide clear and convincing reasons for dropping these cases. Ghanaians deserve to know why millions—or perhaps billions—of taxpayer money tied to these scandals will not see justice. Without proper justification, this move undermines the fight against corruption and erodes public confidence in the government.

Mr. President, Ghanaians elected you to lead with integrity and transparency. Please explain your actions so we can understand and support your decisions. Otherwise, the label “Clearing Agent” may stick—not on your predecessor, but to your own administration.