By Stephen Apolima
Legal Analyst
Accra, Ghana – In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on February 27, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama highlighted a series of legal and judicial challenges confronting Ghana, along with his administration’s strategy to tackle corruption, enhance judicial independence, and strengthen legal education. His address underscored the need for urgent reforms in governance and justice delivery to restore public confidence in the country’s legal institutions.
Judicial Independence and Trust in the Legal System
One of the major legal concerns raised by President Mahama was the declining public confidence in the judiciary. He acknowledged widespread perceptions of politicization and delays in justice delivery, which have contributed to growing mistrust in the country’s legal system.
“We must restore confidence in the judiciary,” he stated, pledging to work closely with the Judicial Council and the Chief Justice to depoliticize the judiciary and tackle corruption within the legal system. His administration, he said, would prioritize measures to enhance transparency, efficiency, and fairness in the delivery of justice.
Fighting Corruption: ‘Operation Recover All Loot’ (ORAL) Initiative
A key highlight of the President’s address was his administration’s anti-corruption campaign, dubbed Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL). Mahama revealed that a special committee had already received over 2,000 complaints related to corruption, fraud, and mismanagement of public funds. The findings of this committee, he said, had been handed over to the Attorney General for further investigation and prosecution.
His government has also committed to introducing legislation to restrict the sale or disposal of state assets to curb the misappropriation of public property by political actors. “The recent arrests in the SkyTrain scandal and the National Service ghost names case mark only the beginning of our comprehensive efforts to tackle corruption,” he assured.
Legal Education and Constitutional Reforms
Recognizing challenges in Ghana’s legal education system, President Mahama announced plans for a Legal Education Reform Bill, which is currently under review by Cabinet before submission to Parliament. The bill aims to expand access to legal education, improve regulatory frameworks, and enhance the professional training of lawyers.
Further, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to constitutional reforms, noting that his administration had already inaugurated the Constitution Review Committee to assess and recommend necessary amendments. The committee’s work, he said, would be subject to public consultations, a referendum, and eventual parliamentary approval to ensure legitimacy and inclusivity.
Security Sector and Rule of Law
President Mahama also touched on national security concerns, particularly the illegal proliferation of military-grade weapons that, he claimed, had been improperly distributed under the previous administration. “These weapons pose a direct threat to our constitutional democracy and public safety,” he warned, adding that efforts were underway to trace and recover unauthorized arms.
His government has committed to overhauling security recruitment processes, which he said had been marred by politicization and favoritism. Moving forward, the administration will implement a more transparent and merit-based system for hiring personnel in security agencies such as the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces.
Conclusion: A Legal Framework for National Renewal
President Mahama’s legal agenda reflects his broader vision of resetting Ghana’s governance structures and ensuring accountability at all levels. By prioritizing judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, legal education reforms, and security sector restructuring, his administration aims to build a more transparent and effective legal system.
With investigations underway and policy proposals in the pipeline, the coming months will be critical in determining whether these legal reforms can deliver tangible results and restore public trust in Ghana’s governance institutions.
This the time to clean out the Supreme Court and appoint new Justices and also remove the Attorney General who sat down there and did absolutely nothing while Akuffo Addo and his Ministers stole our money.