By Sarah Baafi
The Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee presented its comprehensive report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, February 10, detailing 2,417 complaints of suspected corruption. These complaints were gathered through a public call for reports, with 1,493 submissions made via a toll-free call line and an additional 924 received by email. The report was officially handed over at the Jubilee House.
Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Chairman of the ORAL Committee and Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed President Mahama before presenting the report. He emphasized that Ghanaians are deeply concerned about corruption and eagerly await decisive action from the president to address this issue.
“The people of Ghana have spoken loudly through these complaints,” Mr. Ablakwa noted. “It is now our collective responsibility to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for misappropriating state resources are held accountable.”
President Mahama commended the ORAL team for their diligent work without requesting any payment. He reiterated his commitment to combating corruption: “Every pesewa recovered from this operation will be reinvested in national development,” he stated firmly. “Ghana must no longer be a haven for corrupt practices.”
Following the presentation, President Mahama handed over the report to Attorney General and Minister of Justice with instructions to initiate investigations into these cases where necessary. This move underscores his administration’s resolve to tackle corruption head-on.
As part of ongoing efforts against financial malfeasance, President Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to establishing a strict system of accountability within government. The ORAL initiative was set up as part of his campaign promise to retrieve state funds lost due to corruption and mismanagement.
The public and anti-corruption bodies have been closely following the work of the ORAL Committee with high expectations for decisive action against those implicated in financial irregularities. The committee’s findings include major scandals such as those involving the National Cathedral project and Power Distribution Services.
In addressing both past and present officials involved in alleged misconduct, President Mahama emphasized: “We are not going after only members of past regimes; we will also hold our own officials accountable”.
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