A senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Joshua Zaato, has warned that strong campaign rhetoric on corruption could create unrealistic public expectations that may undermine due process in governance.
Speaking on the AM Show on Joy News, Dr Zaato said anti-corruption efforts must be guided strictly by constitutional and legal procedures rather than political promises made during election campaigns.
His remarks followed reports that assets valued at about GH¢1.5 billion had been frozen under Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), an anti-corruption initiative linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr Zaato emphasised that accountability should be pursued through investigations and lawful processes that respect the rights of individuals.
“Any man or woman in any regime at all who has been invited by relevant agencies, his fundamental human rights protected and taken to legitimate processes, I have no problem with that,” he said.
However, he cautioned that campaign messages promising imprisonment for political opponents before investigations are conducted could complicate governance once a party assumes power.
According to him, the language used during election campaigns often shapes the expectations of supporters, and this can create pressure on governments to deliver outcomes that may conflict with established legal procedures.
Dr Zaato also suggested that the governing party now faces the challenge of managing those expectations following the strong anti-corruption rhetoric that characterised the 2024 election campaign.
