The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has urged Ghanaians to exercise patience with government, stressing that rising public expectations must be balanced with due process, particularly in matters of governance and prosecutions.
According to him, expectations naturally surge the moment a new administration assumes office, as different groups anticipate the fulfilment of campaign promises based on their individual interests.
“The truth is that from the very day a party wins power, expectations begin to rise,” he said, noting that citizens often expect immediate results despite the constitutional four-year mandate of government.
He explained that expectations vary widely, from job creation to policy reversals such as the removal of taxes, making it difficult to satisfy all demands at once.
He, however, maintained that government has already demonstrated commitment to delivering on its promises, citing the early abolition of certain taxes as an example of responsiveness to public concerns.
Mr Kotoko further defended the administration’s handling of corruption-related cases, stating that it is the first in Ghana’s history to initiate prosecutions within its first year in office.
“There is no government apart from this one which, within its first year, has begun prosecutions,” he asserted, adding that previous administrations typically commenced such processes in their second year.
Despite public pressure for swift action, he emphasised the importance of adhering to legal procedures to ensure fairness and credibility.
“It is prosecutions and not persecutions,” he stressed, cautioning against rushed processes that could undermine justice and lead to flawed outcomes.
Mr Kotoko acknowledged that public frustration may stem from perceptions of widespread wrongdoing in previous years, but insisted that the rule of law must guide all accountability measures.
He advised that while government remains committed to addressing concerns, including corruption, it must do so within the bounds of due process to ensure lasting and credible results.
