NDC Set Unrealistic Expectations About ORAL Prosecutions - Dr Joshua Zaato

A political scientist says the governing National Democratic Congress is now confronting expectations it created during the election campaign, where its messaging suggested that political opponents would face immediate jail time rather than thorough investigations.

Speaking on the AM Show on Thursday, Dr Joshua Zaato, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, made the remark while reacting to news that the government’s anti-corruption initiative, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), had frozen assets amounting to GH¢1.5 billion.

Dr Zaato explained that although corruption investigations and prosecutions require time and must follow due process, the NDC’s campaign messaging led supporters to expect immediate punitive action.

He pointed out that party communicators used language that implied some individuals had already been judged guilty. For example, he noted that supporters were told that Cecilia Dapaah would be jailed once the party assumed office, rather than being informed that legal investigations would precede any prosecution.

Dr Zaato stressed that there is nothing wrong with pursuing accountability, provided it is done through lawful and transparent means.

He stated, “Any public official who is invited by the appropriate state institutions, whose rights are protected, and who goes through legitimate legal processes  I have no issue with that.”