John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to exercise patience with the legal processes underpinning the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, stressing that thorough investigations are essential to securing convictions.

Speaking at a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations at Jubilee House on Monday, March 31, 2026, President Mahama acknowledged mounting public pressure for swift action but insisted that due process and the rule of law must be upheld.

“We must, if we are true democrats and we believe in our Constitution, have the patience to go through the process,” he stated.

The President explained that building strong legal cases takes time, cautioning that rushing investigations could lead to weak prosecutions that may not stand in court.

“Better to investigate properly and take a well-prepared case to court than to be moved by public pressure and rush, only for the judge to throw it out,” he said.

He further recognised the pressure on the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, noting that diligence is key to securing convictions.

“He must build the cases thoroughly so that when he goes to court, he can get a conviction,” he added.

President Mahama clarified that the ORAL initiative was never intended to result in immediate arrests, explaining that due process remains central to the initiative.

“We didn’t deceive ourselves that as soon as we come, we’ll arrest everybody and put them in prison. We knew it would go through the process,” he said.

He cited ongoing audits, including investigations into the All Africa Games, as examples of processes that require time before legal action can be taken.

Highlighting the structure of Ghana’s judicial system, the President noted that multiple levels of appeal can extend the duration of cases but are necessary to ensure fairness and justice.

“As long as we agree that we will use a rule-based system under the law, we must be patient to let the law take its course,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to accountability, President Mahama assured the public that the government remains determined to hold individuals responsible for wrongdoing while respecting due process.