President John Dramani Mahama has called for an end to state capture and the practice of government officials acquiring state property for personal gain.

Addressing Parliament during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his second term on Thursday, 27th February, he emphasised the need to uphold transparency and protect public assets from exploitation.

Mahama condemned the longstanding trend where individuals in positions of power use their influence to appropriate state resources for their private benefit.

He stressed that such unethical practices undermine national development and erode public trust in governance.

"We must put an end to state capture and the blatant acquisition of state property by government officials. The wealth of this nation belongs to all Ghanaians, not a privileged few," he stated.

The President further reiterated his administration’s commitment to enforcing stricter policies to safeguard public resources. He assured Ghanaians that his government would introduce measures to ensure state assets remain in the hands of the public and serve their intended purpose. "There must be accountability, and those who seek to exploit the system for personal enrichment will face the full force of the law," he warned.

Mr Mahama urged Parliament and civil society organisations to work together in promoting transparency and accountability.

He called on citizens to be vigilant and demand ethical leadership from those entrusted with managing the nation’s resources.

"Together, we must build a country where public office is a platform for service, not personal gain," he concluded.