Mahama Cracks Down on Corruption, Calls for National Discipline

President John Dramani Mahama has renewed his call for discipline in national life while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to intensifying the fight against corruption.

Speaking at Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebration held under the theme “Building Prosperity, Inspiring Hope,” the President warned that corruption continues to deprive the country of critical resources needed for development.

The national event, attended by past and present statesmen, parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries, was marked by military drills and poetry recitals commemorating Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule in 1957.

Addressing the gathering, Mahama said the misuse of public funds has direct consequences on citizens’ lives.

“Every cedi that is stolen from the public purse represents a classroom robbed of textbooks, a hospital that will go without medicines, a road that will remain uncompleted and a young graduate who will be denied opportunity,” he said.

According to the President, his administration is strengthening institutions and safeguarding anti-corruption agencies from political interference to ensure accountability.

“Under my leadership, we are not just fighting corruption with words alone. We are strengthening institutions, protecting anti-corruption agencies from political interference and ensuring that no individual, regardless of their status or party, is above the law,” he stated.

However, Mahama stressed that government alone cannot win the battle against corruption without the support of citizens.

He called for the cultivation of a national culture of integrity where honesty is valued and public service is regarded as a sacred responsibility.

“Independence granted us freedom, but freedom demands responsibility,” he said.

The President emphasised the need to restore discipline across all aspects of national life, including the management of public resources and adherence to the rule of law.

“We need to re-establish discipline in our national life — discipline in how we manage public resources, discipline in adhering to the law and discipline in how we treat one another in public life,” he said.

Mahama also urged citizens to demonstrate genuine patriotism through their everyday actions, noting that national development requires collective responsibility.

“True patriotism must be shown through our everyday actions — the citizen who protects public property, the public servant who treats every Ghanaian with respect and the entrepreneur who chooses to invest in Ghana’s future,” he said.

He further appealed to Ghanaians to place national interest above partisan, ethnic or personal considerations.

“Above all, we must place country above party, above tribe and above personal interest. Ghana is bigger than any one of us,” the President added.

Mahama also addressed the youth, acknowledging their aspirations and frustrations while urging them to combine the opportunities provided by modern technology with discipline, resilience and excellence.

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it,” he said, encouraging young people to harness digital tools for education, entrepreneurship and innovation.

The President also used the occasion to congratulate 52 students who received the Presidential Independence Day Awards earlier in the week and commended Keta Secondary Technical School for winning the 69th Independence Day Quiz Competition.

He further disclosed that he has assented to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, describing it as a major economic reform aimed at boosting productivity and generating jobs across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and transportation.

Mahama concluded by reiterating that discipline, integrity and national unity remain essential for building a prosperous Ghana.

 

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