Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, Mr. Nurudeen said the anti-corruption initiative would soon begin yielding stronger results and warned that individuals implicated in ongoing investigations would “feel the heat.”

“The NPP people saying ORAL has failed should be careful what they are asking for. ORAL will soon take effect. It won’t fail,” he stated.

Mr. Nurudeen specifically criticised former Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, saying he was the least qualified person to comment on matters relating to accountability and corruption investigations.

“The last person that should be talking about these things is Godfred Dame because of things that happened during his time,” he said.

He referenced past allegations of witness tampering involving the former Attorney-General, arguing that such conduct would have attracted severe consequences in other jurisdictions.

“In any serious jurisdiction his licence would be taken from him,” he alleged.

Mr. Nurudeen also claimed that earlier comments made by Mr. Dame regarding the handling of politically exposed cases under the previous administration raise concerns about alleged interference within the judiciary.

According to him, the ORAL initiative is already making progress, noting that the Attorney-General is currently handling more than 200 cases, with about 15 already before the courts.

“So far the Attorney-General is handling more than 200 cases, 15 are in court, and money recovered is about GH¢600 million. ORAL is working,” he stated.

He stressed that corruption-related prosecutions must follow due legal processes and rejected suggestions that the country was becoming lawless.

“No one should create the impression we are in a banana republic. If you are caught, the process will deal with you legally,” he added.

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He argued that the committee was flawed from the outset, insisting that a president-elect does not have the constitutional mandate to establish an investigative body to probe individuals.

According to him, the process reflected what he considers an attempt to advance a politically driven agenda without the necessary legal backing.

Mr Darko also questioned the overall impact of the initiative, stating that despite the attention it generated, it failed to produce any meaningful results. He added that several claims linked to ORAL were overstated and ultimately amounted to little substance.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, he said, “My position from day one was that even the establishment of that so-called ORAL was illegal.”

He further stressed that, “a president-elect, by no powers in our Constitution or any of our laws, has the power to set up a committee to investigate people.”

Mr Darko also dismissed suggestions that the initiative led to the recovery of large sums of money, arguing that it generated “just noise” rather than tangible outcomes.

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The Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP, speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, insisted that while the government is committed to pursuing corruption cases, it will not manipulate the courts for political ends.

“We used to accuse the NPP of manipulating the judiciary. We used to say that the NPP did not allow for an independent judiciary.”

“It is not the submission of the individuals saying this, I would imagine that we should manipulate the judiciary to achieve certain political things that government cannot do.”

His remarks come amid criticism from some individuals, including former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, who have questioned the pace of work by state institutions investigating alleged corruption cases under the ORAL framework.

But Mr Kwakye Ofosu defended the government’s record so far, saying investigative agencies have made significant progress.

“You have to define what the expression means by government is not moving fast enough.”https://www.youtube.com/embed/jcq8-C2nhok?si=HKjfmxJWxYytwq7P

“The Attorney General was sworn into office sometime in February last year, and within a year, he is able to supervise a situation where 27 dockets and another 40 cases are being looked into by EOCO.”

He added that the investigations have already produced major enforcement actions.

“He has been able to get 140 people and beyond and seized assets worth 1.5 billion Ghana cities with quite a number of people standing trial.”

According to him, once cases are filed in court, the pace of proceedings is no longer under government control.

“When a case goes to court, not Mr Dumelovo or any of the critics can determine how the judge conducts the case.”

He stressed that government’s responsibility is limited to building strong cases and presenting evidence before the courts.

“What government can do is to build a case, gather sufficient evidence and then go to court to convince the court that this individual or that individual has committed this crime.”

“For which reason this punishment ought to be meted out, and where we find any assets involved, we retrieve it for the benefit of the case that has been done.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that concerns about delays within Ghana’s judicial system are not new.

“Of course, are we all frustrated about the pace of work of the Ghanaian judiciary? It is a long-standing criticism against the Ghanaian judiciary.”

However, he maintained that the issue cannot be blamed on the executive.

“But it is not something that the government should bear responsibility for.”

He revealed that the government is pursuing structural reforms to address the situation.

“Government has tried to find ways around it.”

“So, for instance, cabinet has approved the reintroduction of the tribunal system, which, in any event, is in the Constitution.”

According to him, the revived tribunal system will help speed up the handling of certain cases.

“Very soon, it will be rolled out to deal with cases of ORAL and cases involving illegal money, other cases that clog our court system.”

He stressed that while reforms are underway, the government cannot determine how quickly courts will conclude cases.

“But as for the fact that government can dictate the pace of cases being handled by a court or a judge, that one is beyond its capacity.”

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Dr Joshua Zaato, a Senior Lecturer in the University of Ghana’s Political Science Department, said that while freezing GH¢1.5 billion in assets is a major step, the public deserves clarity on whether some cases could be resolved through negotiated settlements rather than full prosecution.

Speaking on the AM Show, Dr Zaato cautioned against what he described as “tunnel vision” in the pursuit of accountability.

“The question is: what is the end game here?” he asked.

“It’s possible that you suspect there might be corruption, but something tells you — you cannot win this case in court.”

His comments come after government officials revealed that assets worth GH¢1.5 billion had been frozen as part of investigations under the ORAL initiative, a key anti-corruption policy of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dr Zaato acknowledged that Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine and his deputy appear determined to avoid rushing weak cases to court merely to satisfy political expectations.

He said their approach reflects a legal reality often overlooked in public debates about corruption prosecutions.

“I’m not going to just take any case to court and get myself embarrassed,” he said, paraphrasing the Attorney General’s position on building strong cases before initiating prosecutions.

The political scientist stressed that he strongly supports holding public officials accountable for abusing their offices, provided the process respects legal procedures and protects fundamental human rights.

However, he warned that lengthy court battles could undermine the effectiveness of the anti-corruption effort.

According to him, corruption cases in Ghana sometimes drag on for years — in some instances up to eight years — draining public resources while delivering little closure for the public.

Dr. Zaato therefore called on the Attorney General’s office to publish a comprehensive prosecutorial policy outlining how ORAL cases will be handled.

Such a framework, he said, should clarify when the state will pursue full trials, when it may negotiate settlements, and under what conditions asset recovery could be accepted as a resolution.

“If you engage in tunnel vision — that your only objective is to take everybody to court and jail everybody — that is tunnel vision,” he said. “There are other alternatives.”

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He explained that although substantial progress has been made, certain funds cannot be fully retrieved until individuals implicated in the investigations are prosecuted and convicted in court.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu also rejected claims that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) had recovered GHS600 million specifically through ORAL.

He clarified that the figure refers to general recoveries of misappropriated public funds and not amounts directly secured under the ORAL programme.

The Minister made these remarks during parliamentary proceedings on the opening day of debate on the State of the Nation Address, a session marked by intense exchanges between the Minority and Majority caucuses.

Members of the Minority criticised the government’s management of the cocoa sector and expressed concern over what they described as worsening security challenges nationwide.

The Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, John Ntim Fordjour, questioned the government’s response to emerging security threats.

Similarly, Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Kwabre East on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), raised issues regarding economic performance and sectoral outcomes.

On the Majority side, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, defended the administration’s fiscal policies, arguing that ongoing reforms would stabilise the economy and rebuild public confidence.

Kofi Benteh Afful, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Sefwi Wiawso, commended the government’s efforts to combat corruption and enhance accountability within public institutions.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Aboagye argued that the NDC’s interpretation of ORAL could ultimately implicate its own appointees.

He emphasized that cost alone cannot serve as the basis for prosecution.

Mr. Aboagye accused the NDC of misrepresenting issues to its supporters and stressed that Ghana is governed by the rule of law, not by arbitrary decisions.

He noted that any investigations or prosecutions must follow due process, with the Attorney-General acting strictly within the law.

“The appointees from the NDC have been implicated by ORAL based on their own definitions. Some of their claims are quite senseless, such as arguing that the new Bank of Ghana building is expensive, which they use as a reason for prosecution. How can one claim that a building’s cost justifies legal action?

“They continuously misinterpret information for their followers. This country is not a jungle; it is governed by the rule of law. The Attorney-General will perform his duties as required, and all actions must go through proper legal processes,” he said.

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Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Mr Senanu said concerns over potential negotiations and backdoor deals have resurfaced, citing repeated mentions by senior members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“This issue has come up repeatedly, which suggests that all of us need to keep an eye on the space,” he said. “One would wonder why such high-ranking party members continue to raise issues relating to plea bargains. We should not be too quick to sweep this under the carpet.”

The comments follow AG Ayine’s dismissal of allegations that his office is striking deals with individuals under investigation. He insisted that all cases submitted to his office are being handled strictly in line with the law, describing claims of plea bargaining or backdoor arrangements as false.

Mr Senanu stressed that while the AG sits at the top of the hierarchy, developments at lower levels may not always come to his attention. He suggested engaging with the NDC General Secretary, who has raised the issue for a second time, to understand why the concerns persist.

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He said no case under the programme had been compromised, contrary to reports in sections of the media.

Speaking during a visit by Vice-President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, Dr Ayine assured the public that his office had not entered into any plea negotiations or deals with persons implicated in ORAL-related offences.

“No docket has come here that has been compromised in any way. No deal, no plea arrangement has been entered into with anybody who has committed an offence that comes within the ambit of ORAL,” he stated.

Dr Ayine said the dockets were undergoing critical scrutiny and that investigative bodies would be directed to provide additional evidence where gaps were identified.

He cited the ongoing National Service prosecution as an example of that approach.

“When we notice loopholes in the investigations, we will tell the investigative authorities to bring us more evidence,” he said, adding that accountability under the ORAL programme remained non-negotiable.

The Attorney-General said that although his office engaged in plea bargaining in certain criminal cases, such as murder or manslaughter, that did not apply to ORAL cases, despite public speculation.

The visit formed part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the Executive and key justice institutions as the government intensified its accountability and asset recovery agenda.

Dr Ayine also expressed concern about what he described as a “tsunami” of land compensation claims against the State, some amounting to hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis.

“The figures are mind-blowing. We are looking at billions of Ghana cedis in land compensation claims,” he warned, noting that many were based on colonial-era documents.

He said claimants often relied on old archival records to argue that compensation had not been paid for compulsorily acquired lands.

Dr Ayine said such cases frequently succeeded in court, sometimes reaching the Supreme Court, thereby increasing the State’s financial exposure.

He said he had directed the Solicitor-General to prepare a detailed brief for the President on the scale of the problem and its implications for public finances, describing it as a major challenge requiring urgent attention.

Dr Ayine disclosed that 10 international arbitration cases were currently pending against the State.

“We inherited about nine of them when we came into office,” he said, adding that “one was just filed last year against the government of Ghana by a company known as Blue Gold, and that is the only arbitration that has come, but the antecedents or actions that triggered the arbitration occurred before we assumed office.

“So we take responsibility technically, but we were not the ones who took the actions that triggered the arbitration, but we are handling it as if we did, because we have a responsibility to the state as our only client to defend the interests of the state as much as possible,” he said.

Dr Ayine also highlighted staffing and funding challenges at the Ministry, particularly within the Legislative Drafting Division.

“They are overworked and underpaid,” he said, calling for urgent investment in training additional legislative drafters.

To boost internal revenue generation, Dr Ayine announced plans to introduce a Criminal Proceeds Recovery Bill to allow the Attorney-General’s Office to confiscate assets linked to criminal activity through criminal and civil processes.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang commended the Attorney-General and his team for their work and pledged government support.

“We want to assure you that we have your back,” she said, urging enhanced public education to counter misinformation, particularly on ORAL and plea bargaining.

She also urged State agencies to act responsibly to curb the growing incidence of international arbitrations against the country.

“Regardless of who initiated the international arbitrations we are facing, it is ultimately about the country. Going forward, all state agencies must be careful to do the right things at all times, so that we do not leave behind actions and legacies that expose the state to avoidable international arbitration.”

Mr Ayine said claims of plea bargaining or backdoor arrangements are false, insisting that all cases submitted to his office are being handled strictly in line with the law.

He gave the assurance while briefing the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang during her working visit to the Ministry of Justice.

Addressing concerns that have emerged in the public space, the Attorney-General said accusations that his office is compromising ORAL cases are unfounded.

“When it comes to ORAL, there are issues being raised about the fact that we are cutting deals in the ORAL cases. Your Excellency, ORAL is going very, very well. The prosecutions, which are being led by my deputy and the Director of Public Prosecutions, are going very, very well,” he said.

Mr Ayine said that no case file submitted to his office has been tampered with. “I want to put it on record, and the National Intelligence Bureau will bear me out, that no docket has come here that has been compromised in any way,” he stated.

“No deal, no plea arrangement has been entered into with anybody who has committed an offence that comes within the ambit of the ORAL cases we have received from the NIB and are prosecuting.”

He disclosed that 16 dockets are currently under review and said his office is subjecting them to detailed scrutiny before proceeding. According to him, where investigations are found to be weak, his department does not hesitate to request additional evidence.

“We will be putting those ones through the process of critical scrutiny, so that when we notice loopholes in the investigations, we will tell the investigative authorities to bring us more evidence, as we are doing now with the National Service prosecution,” he explained.

The Attorney-General used the opportunity to reassure the public of the government’s commitment to accountability.

“I want to assure the Ghanaian public, using this platform, that we have not entered into any plea negotiations with anybody that committed an offence that comes within the remit of ORAL. People are being held accountable, and they will be held accountable as far as the ORAL programme is concerned,” he said.

Beyond the ORAL initiative, Mr Ayine raised concern about what he described as a growing wave of land compensation cases being brought against the state.

He warned that the scale of the claims poses a serious financial risk to the country.

“There are a lot of land matters, especially land compensation, and those are becoming a big headache for me as Minister of Justice. There is a tsunami of land compensation cases hitting the courts against the Republic, and the figures are mind-blowing,” he said.

He revealed that some claims run as high as 500 million Ghana cedis. According to him, many claimants rely on historical documents to argue that compensation was not paid during the colonial era.

“They will go and dust documents from the archives and claim that the colonial government did not pay compensation for land, and then they take the government to court,” he said, adding that such cases often succeed even at the Supreme Court.

Mr Ayine said preliminary estimates suggest the claims could amount to billions of Ghana cedis.

“The last time we did a back-of-the-envelope calculation, we were looking at billions of Ghana cedis in land compensation claims,” he noted, describing the situation as deeply worrying.

He disclosed that he has instructed the Solicitor-General to prepare a detailed brief for the President on the issue.

“I have directed the Solicitor-General to put together a brief for the President on the land compensation tsunami that we are having,” he said.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Dr. Ayine said preliminary assessments have already been made on the amount of money that can realistically be recovered within the year.

“We have developed estimates of what is capable of being collected. Very soon, this year, I am sure things will start flowing into the government’s coffers. Money will start flowing into the government chest with respect to ORAL,” he stated.

However, the Attorney-General cautioned that he could not state with absolute certainty whether the government would recover the full GH¢21 billion projected under the initiative.

“The question of whether we will be able to get exactly the 21 billion projected is one that I cannot answer with mathematical certainty at this point,” he said.

Dr. Ayine explained that extensive work is currently underway, both locally and internationally, to track and recover misappropriated state funds. On the local front, he said his office is working closely with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

In addition, the Attorney-General revealed the existence of a special clandestine investigations team that reports directly to him.

He expressed confidence that the coordinated efforts of local agencies and foreign partners would soon translate into tangible financial recoveries for the state, reinforcing the government’s commitment to accountability and the protection of public resources.

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Speaking to the media on Monday, 22 December, during the Government Accountability Series, Dr Ayine provided an update on the status of the investigations.

“The ORAL investigations are proceeding well, and we continue to strengthen initial reports to file charges that satisfy the standards of proof required in criminal trials,” he stated.

He emphasised that the focus remains on ensuring all charges are fully supported by credible evidence, in line with criminal law requirements. Dr Ayine noted that careful and methodical preparation is essential to securing convictions and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) is a government-led initiative aimed at investigating alleged corruption, misappropriation, and dissipation of state assets, with the objective of recovering public funds lost through abuse of office or financial misconduct. The operation prioritises evidence-based investigations to support both criminal prosecutions and civil recovery where necessary.

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According to him, there have been no visible prosecutions since the initiative began, a situation he says has left the grassroots frustrated.

“I am not happy with the performance of ORAL. The grassroots are angry; it’s been close to a year now, and there are no prosecutions,” he said.

Mr Andrews made the remarks in an exclusive interview with JoyNews’s Fostina Sarfo on The Pulse.

He explained that while the initiative was established to ensure accountability and recover misappropriated state resources, its delay in prosecuting cases has created disillusionment among party supporters and the public.

Mr Andrews mentioned high-profile cases such as the National Cathedral project, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, and Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), saying these matters require finality to restore confidence in the system.https://www.youtube.com/embed/RT3VvymYzzk?si=_JT_T6yHlf_Ka3UG

“I appeal to the Attorney-General to open specialised courts to speed up the process,” he added, stressing that the slow pace of proceedings is affecting public faith in the government’s commitment to accountability.

The Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative was launched to track and recover state funds and assets allegedly misappropriated by public officials.

The exercise was expected to demonstrate government’s commitment to fighting corruption and improving transparency in governance.

However, months after its inception, critics have questioned its impact, citing the lack of prosecutions and the slow pace of investigations.

Mr Andrews believes establishing specialised courts to handle ORAL-related cases will help deliver justice swiftly and ensure closure on long-standing issues that have attracted public attention.

He noted that swift and visible prosecutions would not only reassure citizens of the government’s commitment to accountability but also serve as a deterrent to others.

As pressure mounts for action, Mr Andrews’ call adds to growing demands from within and outside the party for the Attorney-General’s Department to expedite the legal processes tied to the initiative.

Source: Fostina Sarfo

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Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV, Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated that President John Dramani Mahama remains resolute in ensuring the recovery of state funds allegedly misappropriated by officials of the previous administration.

“ORAL has come to stay, and the President is committed to it and no one will stop it. The Attorney-General has stated that no one will hinder its work,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu declared.

He explained that the initiative is a crucial part of the government’s broader efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public resources.

The Minister further noted that the Mahama administration is determined to safeguard the national purse by retrieving funds and assets wrongfully taken from the state.

According to him, such measures are essential to restoring public confidence in governance and ensuring that those entrusted with public office are held accountable for their stewardship.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu reiterated that ORAL’s mission is not politically motivated but purely aimed at protecting the national interest.

He assured Ghanaians that the operation would be carried out within the confines of the law, guided by fairness and due process, to ensure that justice is served and public funds are rightfully recovered.

Source: Myjoyonline

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Speaking in an interview on JoyNews, the lawmaker questioned the usefulness of the committee and accused its members of failing to apply their expertise to the work assigned them.

“Well, let me put it in the form of a question: what was the utility of the ORAL?” he asked. “When you look at the persons forming the committee, you have Daniel Domelevo, a very highly experienced auditor and former Auditor-General, Martin Kpebu, an experienced lawyer, and retired Commissioner Kofi Boakye, an experienced security person.”

He said with such a team, the expectation was that the committee would have done a thorough job, but that was not the case.

“You had all these people on there with the current EOCO boss too there, and all they did was to receive documents and couldn’t even probe the usefulness or otherwise of the documents,” he stated. “And so they handed over the report to the President, including all garbage. Then what was the utility of it?”

The Manhyia South MP argued that the committee’s work had contributed to the mounting pressure on the Attorney General.

“It does appear that they are part of the reason why there’s a lot of pressure on the Attorney General,” he said. “And the Attorney General himself is also advancing it with the nature of information he’s putting in the public domain. I think that it’s really, really unfortunate. From what I’m hearing this evening, very unfortunate.”

He further suggested that the quality of the report handed to the Attorney General raised concerns about credibility and due diligence.

“In fact, what was given to the Attorney General was an unrefined document,” he said. “Mr. Domelevo, very respectfully, failed to bring his experience, his expertise, to bear on what he received. Mr. Kpebu failed to bring his experience to bear on what he received.”

According to him, someone with Martin Kpebu’s legal background should have been able to properly assess the documents and evidence.

“He knows what is admissible, what is inadmissible, and what the weight of evidence is,” he said. “Very respectfully, he has been at the bar for about 18 years and qualifies to be a judge of even the Court of Appeal. He should be in a position to evaluate documents, and so if he couldn’t, then, very respectfully, the utility of the ORAL is really problematic.”

The MP insisted that the committee’s report offered little to assist the Attorney General and that the entire exercise amounted to nothing productive.

“It was of no use to the Attorney General,” he emphasized. “I made that point from day one on your platform. Today, very respectfully, with the grace of God, I think that our position has been vindicated by the confession of Mr. Domelevo, Kofi Boakye, and Kpebu. It was a complete waste of time.”

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

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Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, the former Auditor General stated that the ORAL team’s work was limited to gathering complaints and documentation submitted by the public, without conducting any investigations to verify their validity.

“I completely agree,” he said, responding to comments by the Deputy Attorney General that the estimated $21 billion expected to be recovered under ORAL was exaggerated.

“I remember I had an interview with you earlier, and I said that those figures are just a summation of the complaints which came. And I even said that after an audit or investigation, those figures may balloon further or may shrink. It is possible,” he said.

He explained that the actual test of the figures would be in court, where the amounts could change significantly.

“The actual game is in the courtroom,” he said. “When you get to the courtroom, the amount may reduce significantly. And I caution. I remember saying that I know even if we should win the 21 or close to $22 billion, collecting it is another game altogether.”

Mr. Domelevo emphasized that even after successful court rulings, recovering the money remained difficult.

“There are two lawyers that will tell you that even the fact that you have won the case in court does not necessarily mean you will collect the money,” he said. “I remember citing the Woyome case. The Supreme Court said pay. But it took some time. I don’t know up to now whether it has fully been paid. So winning the case is one thing, but recovering it is a different ball game.”

He said the ORAL figures represented raw, unfiltered data that had not been subjected to scrutiny.

“As for us, we just collected data and summed it up. We didn’t do any investigation,” he noted. “A preliminary investigation even may show that some of the complaints were just noise. There’s nothing in it. But we collected the data as it did so, including the garbage.”

When asked to clarify his use of the word “garbage,” Mr. Domelevo said the team received every submission that came its way without turning anyone away. “Yes, because nobody came to us that we turned away and said, ‘Yours we will not take,” he explained.

“So we collected all the information. Remember, we are not investigating. So when you come, we are not going to say that Mr. Mensah substantiates what you are saying. So you just come and say that I know Mr. Amaliba is involved in this, that, that, that, and the amount is this. We look at the document you have, and we capture it.”

He revealed that some complaints even came through emails, without any supporting evidence. “Some even came in the form of emails. What about if the person is just making it up?” he said.

Drawing from his auditing experience, Mr. Domelevo said he knew some of the documents submitted might not have been authentic.

“Being an experienced auditor, I know that you can even submit documents, and later on, when we test the document, the documents may not have any substance, or they may not be authentic,” he said. “So there will be a lot of garbage in it. There’s no two ways about that.”

Mr. Domelevo also commended the Attorney General for taking time to correct public misconceptions about attempts to influence ORAL’s work.

“It is good that the Attorney General spends some time,” he said. “I listened to him. Clearly, he spent some time to disperse that view that anybody or any member or legal team of the NDC, for that matter, was trying to bribe their way through. I think that is very, very, very necessary.”

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Kwakye Ofosu wrote:

President Mahama is expected to visit the Western Region to officially cut sod for the dualization of the 73.6-kilometre Cape Coast–Takoradi Road, a major highway linking the Central and Western regions.

The long-awaited project aims to improve road safety, reduce travel time, and boost trade and tourism along the corridor.

“Busy week for government. Today, President Mahama is off to the Western Region to cut sod for the dualization of the 73.6km Cape Coast–Takoradi Road.
Tomorrow, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Hon. Dr. Dominic Ayini, presents a major ORAL update and finally unfurls ‘Rumble in the Jungle’.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice is expected to take center stage on Wednesday, where Dr. Dominic Ayini will deliver a major oral update on the government’s ongoing legal and anti-corruption initiatives.

Source: Adomonline

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr Mercer argued that most of the alleged funds have already been disbursed and spent, making recovery practically impossible.

“$21 billion is big—that Mr Mahama promised through his (ORAL) committee that we are going to recover for Ghana. We are waiting for them to recover it,” he remarked.

He cited the National Cathedral project as an example, questioning how monies already utilised could be retrieved.

“We were told that some $100 million or $80 million has been spent and that they were going to recover that money from the project. How are you going to do it?

“Contractors have been paid, people have worked and received remuneration. You tell Ghanaians that you were going to recover the money — how are you going to do it?” he asked.

His comments followed concerns raised by former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, who criticised the delay in prosecuting those implicated in the ORAL investigations, describing the nine-month wait as too long.

Mr Domelevo, who served on the ORAL committee, had earlier revealed that the State could potentially recover $21 billion from various stolen assets.

Mr Mercer, however, maintained that while accountability is essential, government efforts should be grounded in realism about the recoverability of funds and the state of the assets involved.

ORAL presented over 2000 cases of possible corruption cases to the Attorney-General.

Source: Myjoyonline

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“A lot is being done, but am I satisfied? No. I don’t see the end of the tunnel, not to talk of the light at the end of it. The process is too slow. Nine months is no small time, and before we realise it, another quarter is gone,” he stated.

Speaking on the KSM Show, the anti-corruption advocate warned that delays in recovering stolen state funds could undermine public confidence in the government’s anti-graft campaign.

“With the briefing that the Attorney General has been giving, a lot of work is going on, but am I satisfied? No. I can’t see the end of the tunnel, not to talk of the light at the end of the tunnel.

“It raises the question of preparedness. When I look at the magnitude of funds we need to recover and how slowly things are moving, I wonder when we will get there,” he said.

He further remarked that “in fact, the prayer of the culprits and their lawyers is that there should be a change in government. Then you hear nolle prosequi.”

According to Mr. Domelevo, the sluggish pace of investigations and prosecutions reflects a lack of readiness and urgency on the government’s part to fulfil its anti-corruption promises.

“It begs one question: were they prepared before coming to office? Because when I look at the quantum of money we should recover and the snail speed at which we are moving, I wonder when we are going to get there,” he added.

He cautioned that without visible progress in holding corrupt officials accountable, citizens could lose faith in the administration’s governance reset agenda.

“I think we have to change the speed at which we are moving and let people gain the confidence that things are moving and moving very fast,” he urged.

Mr. Domelevo’s comments follow a series of briefings by Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine on corruption cases, which have yet to yield significant prosecutions.

The ORAL team, of which he is a member, previously presented an extensive dossier to the Attorney-General outlining potential corruption cases identified during their preliminary investigations.

Source: Adomonline

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He lauded the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, hoping it would help bring corrupt officers to book and not just remain a mantra on the lips and in books.

Togbe Afede was speaking at the grand durbar of the 2025 Asogoi Te Za (Yam Festival), of which the Vice President, Prof Nanaa Jane Opoku Agyemang and other distinguished public servants, traditional leaders, among others, were in attendance. It was themed “Together in Unity and Prosperity, we build a just, peaceful, prosperous nation”.

“Recently, we seem to have succeeded in making the beautiful name Ghana almost synonymous with the word corruption. And that is why I like ORAL, the Operation Recover All Loot. I must commend the government for it and to tell the government to stay the course to recover all that they have looted from the state coffers”, he said.

Commitment to fighting corruption

Togbe Afede said that his fortunes are intertwined with those of Ghana’s and would suffer replicating effects if Ghana retrogresses, hence he would continue to fight corruption, which he identified as a major stumbling block to Ghana’s development.

He lamented how corruption had robbed the resource-rich country of development due to the greed of those entrusted with the duty to lead and develop the country.

He explained that the unfortunate development has led to desperation among the citizenry, resulting in emigration, high incidents of crime, and suicide.

Togbe Afede stressed the need to strengthen the constitution, anti-corruption institutions, and impose stringent punishment for corrupt officials “to make corruption unattractive”.

“We have to ensure that our institutions that have to fight corruption work. So, we have to strengthen our constitution, in particular the likes of the judiciary, Economic and Organised Crime Organisation, of course the Office of the Special Prosecutor, all of them need strengthening to ensure that we are all encouraged to pursue the path of deepest honesty in all of our work both in the private and public sectors”, he said.

He called for an attitudinal change among the citizenry, hoping corruption would be reduced to the barest minimum to save the public purse and promote development.

22 years of reign on the Asogli stool

This year’s festival marked the 22nd anniversary of Togbe Afede’s reign as the leader of the Asogli State.

He acknowledged the support for his bid to harness development in the Asogli area, applauding the beginning of the construction of road infrastructure under the Big Push Project, stretching from Asikuma, through Ho to Aflao.

“The President came along and surprised us with the Big Push, an agenda that has gladdened the hearts of people of the Volta Region because of the critical place the road sector has in the Big Push agenda. And of course, the emphasis that it places on the Volta Region roads”, he said.

He also highlighted plans by the Tema Development Corporation to begin a national residential housing drive initiative in Ho.

Source: Fred Quame Asare

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In its assessment of the first six months of the Mahama administration, the policy think tank noted that while ORAL “started popular,” it now faces doubts over “selective justice,” a perception that is eroding the goodwill the government initially enjoyed.

The report further cited mass dismissals, the private jet controversy, and broader concerns about fairness as additional factors undermining public confidence.

Drawing on data from Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, newsfeeds and other digital sources, IMANI observed that early optimism around the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s fiscal discipline and anti-corruption posture has given way to growing scepticism.

Governance controversies, policy contradictions and partisan tensions, the report said, have reshaped the national conversation and underscored “the primacy of credibility in governance.”

IMANI warned that unless the administration matches its rhetoric with action, avoids contradictions, and engages the youth and civil society with transparency and tangible results, the current scepticism could harden into lasting disillusionment.

“The lesson is clear; in Ghana’s fast-moving media environment, credibility is the most valuable political currency,” the report concluded.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency in Accra, Mr. Ablakwa, who once chaired the ORAL Committee, said its guiding principles continue to shape his decisions as Foreign Minister.

He outlined several achievements under his tenure, including reclaiming the Ministry’s land at Airport Residential Area, halting the illegal sale of Ghana’s diplomatic property in Lagos, Nigeria, and assisting National Security in arresting suspect Bright Mensah Bonsu, who allegedly pocketed $1.5 million meant for state coffers.

The Minister also revealed that he reversed an earlier plan to sell Ghana’s diplomatic property in Lusaka, Zambia, and introduced an asset register to properly track all Ministry assets.

Additionally, he disclosed the cancellation of a $3.5 million renovation contract for Ghana’s Abidjan Embassy, awarded in November 2024, citing breaches of due process.

Mr. Ablakwa noted that competitive procurement has now become standard at the Foreign Ministry, covering passport courier services, ticketing companies, cleaning contracts, and staff buses, to ensure transparency and compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

He added that international partners are backing the ORAL initiative, pointing to President Mahama’s recent state visit to Singapore, which produced a bilateral framework to strengthen Ghana’s forensic capacity in anti-corruption investigations through collaboration with EOCO, CHRAJ, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the CID.

Pledging continued partnership with global allies, Mr. Ablakwa assured that his Ministry would support President Mahama and the Attorney-General in ensuring the success of ORAL.

Source: Adomonline

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Dr. Ayine is expected to respond to all questions relating to the discontinued uniBank case during the session. He will also provide an update on the government’s flagship anti-corruption initiative, Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL).

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated Wednesday, July 23, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu wrote, “Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, will attend the Government Accountability Series on Monday, 28th July 2025, to respond to all questions regarding the uniBank matter, offer an update on ORAL, and unveil details of a case he refers to as ‘RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE.’”

Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, is expected to appear at today’s session to present a report on his stewardship and provide updates on efforts to curb illegal mining (galamsey).

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice,Hon Dr. Dominic Ayine,will appear at the Government Accountability Series on Monday,28th July,2025,to answer all questions on the Unibank matter,provide an update on ORAL and unfurl details of a case he calls “RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE”.…

— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) July 23, 2025

Source: Adomonline

“We will succeed in terms of recovery,” he said confidently. “Because, first of all, plea bargaining used not to be part of our laws. Now it is.”

Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews, Dr. Srem Sai was responding to a direct question from host Evans Mensah, who asked why Ghanaians should believe that the government’s new anti-corruption campaign, dubbed Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), would succeed where previous efforts have failed.

“Almost every Attorney General has failed at this,” the host pointed out. “People go to jail when governments change, but when it comes to recovery, we’ve been abysmal. Why will this be different?”

Dr. Srem Sai responded without hesitation. “Now we have a legal framework for recoveries, and that includes voluntary recovery through plea bargaining,” he said. “It’s not just about jailing people. It’s about following the money—and taking it back.”

He revealed that beyond the plea bargaining provisions, the Attorney General’s Department has developed what he described as “a very sophisticated system of asset recovery.”

“These people use every legitimate means to trace assets,” he explained. “If you have an account in Ghana, we’ll know. If you have five accounts in five different banks, we’ll find out.”

Dr. Srem Sai gave insight into how the system works by referencing the ongoing case involving the former Signals Bureau boss, Kwabena Adu-Boahen.

“If you were in court today, you’d have seen the disclosures we filed—about 60 of them. They include bank statements and correspondences showing exactly how the money moved,” he said.

“Money is traceable. That’s the point. You’ll see someone moves money from this account at 2 p.m., and then it appears in the accused’s account at another bank by 3 p.m. Then a few hours later, the same amount shows up in a real estate company’s account. It’s like watching a movie. You follow the money, and the story tells itself.”

Dr. Srem Sai insisted that this is no longer about speculation or empty promises.

“Before, we didn’t have the tools. But now we do. The plea bargaining framework allows us to negotiate recoveries. And with asset tracing, the evidence is solid.”

While public scepticism remains after years of unfulfilled promises and high-profile prosecutions with little restitution to the state, the Deputy Attorney General believes the tide is turning.

“We’re not just punishing. We are recovering. And this time, we’re ready.”

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Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Dr. Srem Sai dismissed claims that the government’s response to alleged corruption involving top political figures is slow or unresponsive.

“It’s not that it’s slow,” he said in response to public criticism. “It’s just that the public only gets to know when the person is maybe arrested, and there’s noise, or when the person is being taken to court.”

Dr. Srem Sai noted that he regularly receives messages and tags on social media from people demanding action, but explained that much of the work remains hidden by necessity.

“Look, the ladies and gentlemen in the investigative agencies — the Police, the NIB, EOCO, the Special Prosecutor — they are working extremely hard,” he said.

He described a scene of relentless behind-the-scenes activity, with investigators and prosecutors working late into the night to gather evidence, secure warrants, and build airtight cases.

“You see how I don’t sleep? I don’t think they sleep either,” he said. “Because at night, they are working. They are calling, asking for directives, applying for search warrants, freezing orders, arrest warrants — and all this happens at short notice.”

He stressed that legal processes often require confidentiality, particularly when evidence must be protected or suspects might flee.

“If you want a warrant to search a place, you cannot say you are going to give notice,” he explained. “All these things are going on.”

Dr. Srem Sai maintained that it is inaccurate to say the process is slow. “It’s actually not slow. It’s moving very quickly. The only thing is, not everything can be made public by law enforcement agents.”

He assured that the public will be updated when appropriate. “Those that we need to put out, we’ll put out. But trust me, if you knew what was going on…”

He hinted at ongoing action involving high-profile individuals. “Like I said of the former Education and Energy Minister and running mate of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia — he has seen it,” he said, without offering further details.

Dr. Srem Sai made it clear that a pipeline of prosecutions is being built.

“We are not sleeping. The process is not dormant. It is not dragging. It is active, deliberate, and lawful,” he declared.

In the face of growing public frustration, especially on social media, his message was firm: there is more going on than meets the eye.

“It’s not that nothing is happening,” he concluded. “It’s just that not everything can be made public

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Speaking during a courtesy call on the Ghana Bar Association on Wednesday, Mahama emphasized that ORAL serves as a structured platform for whistleblowers to report corruption cases, with proper investigative mechanisms in place.

“One of the pressing challenges we face is corruption and accountability in public office. It has, unfortunately, become the norm for individuals to dip their hands into the public purse or misappropriate funds,” he stated.

He noted that corruption ranked among the top five concerns of Ghanaians during the last campaign, making it imperative for his administration to take decisive action.

Mahama explained that ORAL was designed to provide a direct reporting platform for whistleblowers, including a hotline that received over 2,000 calls. While some allegations were unfounded, several credible cases were forwarded to the Attorney General for further action.

Dismissing claims that ORAL is a tool for political persecution, Mahama assured that its sole purpose is to strengthen Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.

“I want to make it clear—this is not an instrument for witch-hunting. It is a vital mechanism to support the fight against corruption,” he affirmed.

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His warning comes amid reports that a property he has owned since 2006 was scrutinised under the operation.

He claimed that drones were flown over his property, which shares a boundary with the Police Academy, in an attempt to link it to state land.

“They thought it was a state land, and because I share a wall, there’s a common boundary between my property and the Police Academy, you know, so maybe they thought that it’s a Police Academy property that I had illegally acquired. And unfortunately for them, that was not it. In any case, must you fly a drone on my property?” he asked.

Speaking on JoyNews‘ The Pulse on Wednesday, February 19, Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of using ORAL to target political opponents instead of focusing on governance.

“You see, sometimes politicians think that by attacking an opponent, it breaks the opponent down, and they would be popular. NDC should know that they’ve won. They’ve won with a four-year mandate. They should be busy with the implementation of their manifesto promises rather than coming after Afenyo-Markin.”

When asked whether he would be surprised if his name or property appeared in the ORAL report submitted to President John Mahama, the Effutu MP was resolute in his response.

“I’ll sue them. I will sue them. If I see anything inconsistent with the law, I’ll sue them. I’ll sue their individual personalities. I’ll sue each one of them. I’ll sue for the law to remedy the situation.”

In the coming days, Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine is expected to recommend the prosecution of individuals named in the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) report.

The team, which submitted its findings to President Mahama earlier this month, estimates that Ghana could reclaim over $21 billion in illegally acquired assets.

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Bright Simons, speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 15, stressed the widespread public support for ORAL, cautioning political figures, particularly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), against underestimating its appeal.

“We have to be very clear that a lot of people in this country are excited about it, and I think those political actors who’ve made it a habit to try and caricature it and make fun of it are not attuned to public sentiment,” he said.

According to him, the NPP’s dismissive stance towards ORAL and other economic concerns reflects a broader issue of political disconnect.

“I think on the NPP side in particular, there is this tendency to be out of touch with public sentiment, and you have to watch it going into the campaign,” he observed.

He recounted hearing senior NPP figures downplay inflation concerns, arguing that such dismissiveness ignores the lived realities of Ghanaians.

“I had occasion to listen to some of their most senior people talk about the fact that, you know, Ghana is not Accra, and all this inflation talk is nonsense. And I’m like, do you know the actual regions that were suffering most from inflation? Savannah was number one,” he noted, highlighting the importance of data-driven governance.

Beyond its popularity, Bright Simons stressed the need to structure ORAL as a concrete policy initiative, complete with well-defined targets and performance metrics.

“If it’s a government policy, then measuring it effectively becomes critical. Because one of the big problems we have in policy-making in this country is that we can’t measure. So everybody throws their arms about, they do some PR, people get excited a little bit, and then we forget about what exactly they promised. And then we come back four-year cycle, same thing all over again: watch, rinse, repeat,” he lamented.

He proposed setting specific goals for ORAL to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

“When I said that if they can prosecute 50% of the cases, if they can secure 50% convictions, if of those 50%, they are willing to pay back, and through that effort, recoveries can be made, then, to my mind, you’ve done well,” Mr. Simons explained.

He clarified that his previous comments about a 12.5% recoverability rate were not predictions but rather a “stretch target” for policymakers to aim for.

Bright Simons also pointed out the need for clarity in assessing the extent of financial damage and recoverable amounts.

He noted discrepancies in figures cited by the government, with estimates ranging from $20.8 billion to $28.9 billion.

“Some people think what he [Mahama] has seen is that he can recover all $21.1 billion or $20.8 billion. What they were saying is that this is the damage they estimate from the cases they’ve examined. The fiscal damage to the country is not necessarily the recoverable target,” he explained.

He illustrated his point with specific cases, including alleged financial losses at the National Service Secretariat, where $4.5 billion in estimated harm does not necessarily translate to recoverable funds.

“If you take all the budgets of the National Service Secretariat since it was founded to date, and you added all that, and it only amounted to $4.5 billion, it would be significantly less,” he noted.

Similarly, he cast doubt on the feasibility of retrieving the full $1.5 billion linked to COVID-19 expenditures, given that much of it was distributed in the form of free water, electricity, and business loans.

“The fact that it was wasted does not otherwise mean, though, that you can use the criminal process to recover it,” he cautioned, stressing the legal complexities of asset recovery.

Bright Simons further stressed that certain cases, such as those involving the National Cathedral project, may offer clearer avenues for recovery due to identifiable contracts and expenditures.

However, he warned against oversimplification, highlighting Ghana’s weak track record in high-profile corruption prosecutions.

“To be able to recover through the criminal process, you must establish crime. Think of the matter in relation to the National Cathedral. Whether or not they will be able to get the money out of them is another matter. But at least you could make the case that the money was ill-spent,” he said.

He concluded by calling for a policy-oriented approach to ORAL, urging politicians and civil society to push for structured, evidence-based mechanisms that ensure accountability.

“If we wanted to spend in that way, the president, the Chief Justice, and the Speaker of Parliament should have agreed. That’s why I say we need proper policy design, not just rhetoric,” Bright Simons stated.

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Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile show on Saturday, he noted that the initiative has generated significant public interest, as citizens see it as a step towards ensuring accountability and recovering misappropriated state funds.

“There is a palpable sense of excitement among Ghanaians regarding ORAL,” Simons stated.

“The idea that public funds that may have been looted or misused will be recovered resonates strongly with many people, especially in these challenging economic times.”

He added that the initiative represents an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and restoring confidence in public institutions

ORAL, a programme spearheaded by the current administration, is aimed at retrieving state resources that have been unlawfully acquired by individuals and organisations.

While it has been widely welcomed, some analysts have raised concerns about its implementation and the need for due process to be followed in identifying and recovering such assets.

Mr Simons emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in executing the initiative.

“For ORAL to succeed, it must be seen as a genuine effort to uphold justice rather than a political tool,” he said.

“Ghanaians are watching closely, and the government must ensure that the process is free from bias and conducted with the highest level of integrity.”

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Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Tuesday, he remarked, “I see ORAL as a toothless institution without the power to investigate or engage in many activities,” when asked by Sweety Aboagye if the initiative could help combat the issue of corruption in the country.

“Martin Kpebu (ORAL Committee member), who just spoke, is a private legal practitioner. He doesn’t have the power to investigate, nor does he have the authority to mount prosecutions. So, if Martin Kpebu were to invite me, I wouldn’t attend, even if I were corrupt. And even if I were corrupt, and the Police or EOCO invited me, I would dare not,” Mr. Tuah-Yeboah added, following Martin Kpebu’s submissions on the show.

The former Deputy Attorney General further noted, “In my view, they (ORAL Committee) cannot help in any way with the fight against corruption. We have state institutions for that purpose. If we have resources, they should be channelled to these state institutions so they can do their job.”

The ORAL Committee, led by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, submitted over 2,000 cases of corruption and related issues to the president on Monday.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the cases were received from the public and mostly involved suspected corruption by officials of the previous government.

After receiving the reports, President Mahama handed them over to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, to review and take legal action.

The committee revealed that the state could potentially recover over $21 billion from stolen state assets, the majority of which are lands and bungalows.

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The OSP is mandated to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, recover unlawfully acquired assets, and implement measures to prevent corruption.

However, following the submission of the ORAL report to the President on Monday, February 10, Mr. Kpebu revealed that his work with the team exposed significant shortcomings in the law.

He contrasted the OSP’s framework with the ORAL initiative, which he described as a “masterstroke,” highlighting systemic issues that hinder the effectiveness of the Special Prosecutor’s office.

“I have seen the deficiencies in the OSP law. It gives the Special Prosecutor too much power. Every petition lands on his desk, and he alone decides whether to investigate. The rest of his directors don’t see it. That must change,” he told Channel One News.

Martin Kpebu further noted that the excessive control vested in the Special Prosecutor has contributed to the office’s limited impact, stressing that reforms should ensure greater transparency and shared decision-making among OSP directors.

He urged the President to prioritize amending the OSP law to address these critical gaps and enhance its effectiveness in fighting corruption.

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Bright Simons explains that a big part of the ORAL-estimated “loot” relates to fiscally messed-up policies and not funds lodged somewhere that can be “recovered” through prosecutions and plea bargain deals.

The ORAL Committee says it has identified  $21.19 billion in potential recoveries from looted state assets and undervalued land sales.

During the presentation of the committee’s report to the President at the seat of Government in Accra on Monday, February 10, ORAL Chairman Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that if the country is able to recover this amount, there will be no need to go to the International Moneyray Fund for support.

“If we are successful in recoveries, we can retrieve as much as 20.49 billion United States dollars,” he stated. These cases include major corruption scandals involving the National Cathedral project, Power Distribution Services (PDS), and the Saltpond decommissioning project, among others,” Mr Ablakwa said.

President John Mahama also indicated after receiving the report that ” Ghaa I no longer a safe haven for corruption.”

He accordingly forwarded the report to the Attorney-General for further actions.

But Bright Simons in his analysis said “Think about the $4.5bn said to have been ‘illegally printed’ by the Governor of the central bank, for instance. That money has been spent.

“The citizens have suffered the inflation.  Other categories involve hyper-projections across multiple time ranges. Think of the $4.5 billion National Service Scheme ‘fraud’. Note that $4.5bn is about 50% of the entire national budget. That money could not have been spent within the time period in question.

“Think of the presidential jet hires, for instance. The funds were paid through classified channels to overseas jet rental companies. In Ghana, the president’s unaccountable imprest is not penetrable to punitive audits.” he said in a statement on his X page.

He further suggested that Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine should now be placed under the strictest scrutiny. Else, even million may not come in by end of the President’s term.

“Is the A-G truly committed to ORAL? Second, the ORAL policy itself has to be costed. How much is needed to create the right infrastructure for investigations, prosecutions, and recovery? It this ends up being $26 million. Then, of course, the Attorney General better not recover $2.6 million, else that would mean the country lost more money chasing after phantom loot,” he wrote.

Below is his full …

Some folks, like @efo_edem1 , are not impressed by the stretch target I have set for the Attorney General of Ghana to recover 12.5% of the $21 billion-plus that the ORAL committee says was looted by members/assigns of the former government.

This is why 12.5% is indeed a stretch target. 1. A big part of the ORAL-estimated “loot” relate to fiscally messed-up policies and not funds lodged somewhere that can be “recovered” through prosecutions and plea bargain deals. Think about the $4.5bn said to have been “illegally printed” by the Governor of the central bank, for instance. That money has been spent. The citizens have suffered the inflation. Full stop.

2. Other categories involve hyper-projections across multiple timeranges. Think of the $4.5 billion National Service Scheme “fraud”. Note that $4.5bn is about 50% of the entire national budget. That money could not have been spent within the time period in question.

3. Think of the presidential jet hires, for instance. The funds were paid through classified channels to overseas jet rental companies. In Ghana, the president’s unaccountable imprest is not penetrable to punitive audits.

4. Think of the $1.5 billion COVID-19 funds spent on a host of social welfare programs. Much of that money was authorised by appropriation, etc. In short, just the above four categories of questionable spending amount to more than 50% of the ORAL estimate of the loot. See why a 12.5% recovery rate is a stretch target? How does the country retrieve much more than the $2.6 billion target I set, then?

5. First, the Attorney General should now be placed under the strictest scrutiny. Else, even MILLION may not come in by end of the President’s term. Is the AG truly committed to ORAL?

6. Second, the ORAL policy itself has to be costed. How much is needed to create the right infrastructure for investigations, prosecutions, and recovery? It this ends up being $26 million. Then, of course, the Attorney General better not recover $2.6 million, else that would mean the country lost more money chasing after phantom loot.

7. Is that unfair to the Attorney General? Seeing as he doesn’t control the courts? Well, there is no policy situation where every element is controlled by political leaders. Effective ORAL prosecutions and recovery are dependent on top-notch investigations, ability to inspire whistle-blowers and others with information to step up, and solid courtroom work. All those are perfectly within the control of the Attorney General.

8. On the question of how to get more money back, well, folks like@CallmeAlfredo  and myself, have persistently argued that a lot of the “loot” has been woven into permanent programs, many of which are still ongoing.

9. If the President really wants to recover billions of dollars of loot, then he needs to “shine his eye” and stop his appointees from simply ROLLING OVER these “state enchantment” scams and schemes to new cronies and schemers.

10. We spent the last 7 years or so documenting many of these schemes. Not too long ago, we were talking about the e-gates and Immigration360 gigs. Before that, the Common Platform at the Ministry of Comes. These and many other money-wasting programs are all very well known to the people now in charge. The only issue is whether they really want to stop them or simply roll them over to their preferred operators. Maybe, just maybe, citizens can also try to keep the heat on to ensure that the politicians have the incentive to unravel these schemes and stop the national bleeding.

Some folks, like @efo_edem1, are not impressed by the stretch target I have set for the Attorney General of Ghana to recover 12.5% of the $21 billion-plus that the ORAL committee says was looted by members/assigns of the former govt.

This is why 12.5% is indeed a stretch target.… pic.twitter.com/1C91PF2KRr

— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) February 10, 2025

Speaking on the committee’s findings, Ablakwa revealed that after reviewing 36 major cases, including high-value financial losses and land-related loots, the committee identified substantial recoverable funds.

“In total, considering the 36 cases, the high-value cases we’ve identified, and the land-related loots, we can potentially raise about $21.19 billion. This amount far exceeds what we’ve been negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under stringent conditions,” he stated.

Mr Ablakwa also expressed gratitude to former President John Mahama and his team for initiating the ORAL project, which he believes has been instrumental in the country’s fight against corruption.

“We want to extend our sincere appreciation to President Mahama and his team for this initiative, which has truly served Ghana well.”

Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the next phase of the recovery process, even though his team will no longer be directly involved.

“We look forward to the next phase. Although we won’t be directly involved, we are confident that it will be successful in ensuring that resources rightfully belonging to Ghanaians are returned to the national coffers,” he added.

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Chairman of the committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this on Monday, February 10, while presenting the team’s final report to President John Dramani Mahama.

Breaking down the complaints, he stated, “We received 1,493 calls through the toll-free line and 924 emails. Fortunately, all calls were automatically recorded, and the emails have been preserved for verification and validation.”

Ablakwa highlighted the significance of the ORAL Committee, questioning where petitioners would have turned for redress without the President’s intervention.

“For those who doubted the relevance and timing of the President’s intervention, this is your evidence—2,417 complaints received. Where would all these people have gone if President Mahama had not set up the ORAL preparatory team?” he asked.

The ORAL Committee’s work forms part of the government’s broader anti-corruption efforts to recover looted state assets and ensure accountability.

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Several acres already have some almost completed apartments, while other portions have walls built around them to demarcate specific territories.

The main office of the Nungua Farms Livestock Breeding Station has been walled by a private developer, who is said to be forcing staff of the facility to vacate the office amid threats of demolition.

These came to light last Tuesday when the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, visited the facility as part of his familiarisation tour of facilities and agencies under the ministry.

Mr Opoku was sworn into office last Wednesday by President John Dramani Mahama following his successful vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

Tour

As part of his familiarisation tour, Mr Opoku visited the Women in Agricultural Development Directorate at the Nungua Farms, the Head Office of the Veterinary Services Department and the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme, in Accra.

Action

Speaking to the press during the visit to the Station, Mr Opoku indicated he would resist the appropriation of the land by the private developers.

He stated there was a need for the government to interrogate the processes towards the acquisition of the land by the private developers.

Mr Opoku indicated that he would petition the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) preparatory committee to take a look at the issue and generate a report for the consideration of the President in order to secure the land in the interest of the country.

The minister added that although there were ongoing arrangements to relocate the facility and its offices to Amrahia in the Adentan Municipality, those processes had not been completed, and, therefore, it was improper for the encroachers to force the workers to vacate the land.

Development

Recounting the development to the minister, the Manager of the Station, Dr Dennis Owusu Adjei, said due to the current situation, staff at the facility had to plead with the private developers every day before the staff could access the office.

He indicated that bungalows occupied by workers at the farm had been demolished by the private developers.

“Our bungalows were demolished some few years ago and we have been instructed to move out of our offices because they want to demolish our offices and redevelop the land,” he said.

Dr Adjei added that the situation was no different at the animal production centre which bred pigs, grasscutters and poultry, stressing that the developers had indicated that they would soon demolish the facility.

The Deputy Manager of the facility, Mrs Bridget Wiredu, called on the minister to take swift action to address the challenge to avert any damage to their facilities.

He also urged the minister to work on the promotion of some staff who had been at the facility for 16 years or more without promotion.

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In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem. Mr. Kpebu dismissed the report as “fake news” and accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of trying to tarnish the team’s reputation.

“This is all lies. There has been no such incident. The claim that we seized Mr. Omari Wadie’s car is simply not true. It’s a scheme to make us unpopular,” he said.

It was reported last week that the ORAL team mistakenly seized Wadie’s Lexus 507, thinking it was a state vehicle.

The report claimed that after verifying the vehicle’s ownership, the team decided to return it.

However, lawyer Kpebu has expressed frustration over the spreading of false information, adding that the team has no knowledge of any such incident.

“I wonder why such things are being said when they are completely untrue. This fake news is not going to be the last. We’ve seen this kind of misinformation before. We don’t know anything about it. Has Mr. Omari Wadie met us before? Has he contacted us? No,” he stated.

When asked about the ongoing work of ORAL, Mr. Kpebu said, “We’re waiting to see what will happen when the Attorney General takes office. We’ll meet with him and discuss the way forward, whether to extend our work or hand it over”

ORAL was established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate and recover stolen state assets and gather information on corrupt activities in the public sector.

KPEBU ON ORAL

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His comments come after a new trend where youth, purported to be NDC supporters, invade offices to take over in the name of the NDC government.

Speaking on Burning Issues, the MP stated that the establishment of Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) and the appointment of Malik Basintale to oversee the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is the highest form of endorsing vigilantism.

This is because Basintale had incited the youth to take over offices right after John Dramani Mahama’s victory as president. Despite this, he has now been appointed to a government position.

“The establishment of ORAL is the highest form of endorsing vigilantism. I mean, look at the embarrassment. If you claim to be a fact-finding group, do you go around taking other people’s properties?” he said.

“Malik Basintale was inciting the youth to take over offices, but he has been awarded an appointment as the head of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), and that is another form of endorsing vigilantism,” Daniel Nana Addo-Kenneth added.

The MP also shared a personal experience: “I was slapped by my best friend because of the elections, but I took it calmly and approached his uncle about it.

He later realized his mistake and apologized. So, what I’m saying is that if those who get attacked decide to fight back, it won’t end well. That’s why the police should be professional after the elections.”

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Speaking during President Mahama’s ‘Thank You Tour’ in the Volta Region on Friday, Togbe Afede XIV pledged his support for President Mahama’s commitment to fighting corruption and restoring accountability.

“ORAL was great news for all of us. It’s bad enough to suffer, but it’s worse to know that you are suffering because a few people think they deserve all that the state has to offer and get themselves involved in a desperate scramble for our limited resources under property-owning democracy. We support all your intentions, and all your plans to retrieve everything that was lost,” he declared.

The chief expressed confidence that the committee will deliver on its mandate.

“Funds that were stolen, lands that were stolen, buildings etc. Your Excellency, you have our fullest support. We’re excited that you decided to make it unattractive for anybody to embark on that road. And that is why you have warned your own appointees. It’s our hope they respect that,” he stated.

He further lauded Mahama’s reset agenda and directive for his appointees to declare their assets, describing it as “heartwarming.”

“Ghanaians have welcomed your reset agenda, a brave fight against corruption… Ghanaians appreciate the fact that you are moving at the speed of light.

Additionally, he commended the government’s vision for a 24-hour economy and its proposed initiatives, describing them as forward-thinking and transformative,” he added.

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In an interview on JoyNews’ The Law on Sunday, Prof. Asare noted that the concept of investigating outgoing administrations is not new and has been a common practice under successive governments. However, he acknowledged that the current debates about ORAL’s legality and constitutionality represent a novel development.

“So President Mahama’s ORAL is nothing new; the noise about its illegality and unconstitutionality—that noise is new. But the concept itself of investigating an outgoing government is nothing new, and it will continue,” he said on Sunday, January 19.

His comments come amid growing criticism over whether the initiative operates within the confines of the law or risks being used as a political tool.

Prof. Asare explained that ORAL, as currently constituted, does not have the authority to arrest or detain individuals and has not summoned anyone for investigation. He emphasized that ORAL’s operations remain lawful as long as it refrains from assuming police or prosecutorial powers.

“ORAL would only be unlawful if the team starts to assume police or prosecutorial powers,” Prof. Asare clarified.

According to him, every new government in Ghana tends to launch accountability initiatives to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement by their predecessors. He cited historical examples, such as General Sarfo Marfo’s post-government investigations, which even involved foreign agencies.

“Any time we elect a new government, there is some form of ORAL. That happens because, in this country, accountability is very scarce. Governments in power tend not to hold their own members accountable, leading to public complaints and pressure,” he stated.

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The group believes that this initiative will facilitate the recovery of state lands allegedly acquired at minimal cost by former government appointees and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) nationwide.

According to the Coalition, significant portions of government lands in the Kabore enclave of Ho have been sold to individuals linked to the previous Akufo-Addo administration, with many already developing these properties.

Dr. Stanley Glatey, Convener of the Coalition, criticized the Lands Commission for what he described as reckless disposal of state lands.

“They sold the lands as if they were sharing Kelewele. Today, if the government needs land for development, there’s nothing available,” he lamented.

He also raised concerns about security risks associated with the sale of lands near the Regional Minister’s official residence and urged the ORAL team to investigate and hold Lands Commission officials accountable for their involvement in these transactions.

Dr. Glatey assured the Coalition’s cooperation in providing detailed information to the ORAL team to aid in the recovery of state assets sold under questionable circumstances.

“We are ready to support the ORAL team with all the information they need. These lands belong to all of us, and it’s crucial to safeguard them not just for today, but for future generations,” he emphasized.

Additionally, he called for a probe into the development of government lands in Godokpui, a suburb of Ho, where ten detached two-bedroom bungalows are under construction. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in such projects.

According to him, “It is very unlawful, it is populist, and we shouldn’t go down that path,” he said.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile with Samson Lardy on Saturday, January 18, he stated that the ORAL team does not serve as a platform for whistleblowing when Samson Lardy asked if that could be the issue.

“A whistleblower is typically a low-profile individual who strategically provides sensitive information to the appropriate body for them to investigate and take action,” he explained.

He further criticised the committee for conducting investigations in a public manner.

“Why don’t you gather information discreetly? Whatever they are doing, they should do it in accordance with the law and stop going around with cameras,” he said.

Earlier, the Minority in Parliament had urged former government appointees to refuse any summons from the ORAL committee to investigate alleged cases, arguing that the committee is unconstitutional.

The operation of ORAL has faced significant public criticism, particularly from the opposition party, the NPP, and various legal practitioners in the country.

According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the chairman of the ORAL team, the committee has received over 700 reports of corruption and related cases from whistleblowers across the country.

The team’s role is to collect allegations of corrupt activities and forward them to the Attorney General and the Auditor General for further investigation and, where applicable, prosecution.

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Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe stated that the President’s determination to constitute the leanest government under the Fourth Republic remains unchanged.

In an interview in Kumasi, Mr Tamakloe explained that cutting down government expenditures was a key strategy the President sought to adopt for efficient resource management.

He assured Ghanaians that the overwhelming mandate given to the President and the NDC would be used judiciously to build a strong and resilient nation for the benefit of all citizens.

Mr Tamakloe emphasized that reducing waste in public expenditures would be one of the cardinal principles of the Mahama administration.

Responding to the new government’s reduction of ministries from 30 to 23, Mr Tamakloe maintained that the party would not renege on promises made in its 2024 manifesto, describing it as a social contract between the NDC and Ghanaians.

He further assured the people of Ghana that President Mahama and the NDC would not take the confidence reposed in them for granted, stressing their commitment to working in the best interest of the citizens who brought them to power.

The President has so far nominated three individuals who have already been vetted by Parliament:

• Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Minister of Finance
• John Abu Jinapor, Minister of Energy
• Dr Dominic Ayine, Attorney General and Minister of Justice

President Mahama had pledged to put together his cabinet within 14 days of being sworn in and is expected to release nominees for the remaining ministries in the coming days.

Mr Tamakloe reiterated that the President would announce the remaining nominees within the stipulated period as promised.

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The Suame MP, John Darko, made this statement at a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

The first-time MP cited the lack of a legal mandate for the team’s activities.

“Our advice from the Minority is for every individual to boycott any invitation from the ORAL team; we are not going to be a part of it.

“We believe that there are constitutionally established bodies that can investigate any so-called misdeeds of the previous government,” he stated.

Mr. Darko further asserted that the activities of the team were illegal, accusing them of forcibly taking over properties that people have genuinely acquired.

“They are going about entering homes, disturbing people, seizing vehicles, and more or less taking over lands from people who have genuinely purchased them.”

“What the former government officials have done is to acquire properties legally with no illegality taking place. NDC members have also acquired lands in this country. We bought government lands years ago. The people of Ghana must not tolerate this ORAL which is only out there to persecute former government officials, “he added.

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Speaking on JoyNews, Mr Ablakwa reiterated the government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for the unlawful acquisition of public resources.

“The Mahama government is determined to recover all looted state funds and properties,” Mr Ablakwa stated.

He explained that ORAL was established to act as a watchdog over state resources, ensuring that public assets are not only safeguarded but also restored where they have been wrongfully taken.

“This initiative is not about witch-hunting but about protecting the public purse and ensuring fairness in the use of our national resources,” he added.

Mr Ablakwa stressed that the operation would be thorough and impartial, vowing that no one would be exempted from scrutiny.

“We are sending a strong message that impunity will no longer be tolerated. Those who have engaged in corruption or benefited from the unlawful appropriation of state resources will be held accountable,” he said.

He further noted that the recovery of such resources is critical to addressing Ghana’s economic challenges.

The ORAL chairman also called for public support in the fight against corruption.

He encouraged citizens to provide credible information about looted state assets, assuring them of confidentiality and protection.

“This is a collective effort, and with the support of patriotic Ghanaians, we can build a nation where accountability and integrity are prioritised,” Mr Ablakwa concluded.

Source: Ernest K. Arhinful

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The lawmaker, who has been at the forefront of the fight against corruption, told Blessed Sogah on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, January 13, that “threats have become a daily feature, but we have tough skin and we know the Good Lord will protect us.”

He added, “I have been subjected to a lot of propaganda, fake news, and people just trying to demonise me.” Despite the threats, he said, “We remain unaffected; we are resolute and focused.”

Mr Ablakwa reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to tackling corruption and recovering stolen state assets from the previous government.

ORAL is an initiative by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government aimed at identifying, investigating, and recovering state assets believed to have been stolen by members of the former Akufo-Addo administration. Allegations include the theft of lands, revenues, vehicles, and dubious contract deals.

The committee has received numerous suspected cases, which are currently under investigation. The findings will be presented to the Attorney General for possible legal action and prosecution.

Meanwhile, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which exited power a week ago, has raised concerns that ORAL has no legal basis to conduct such an operation.

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This development was disclosed by private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu during a telephone interview with Channel One News’ Hanson Agyemang.

According to Kpebu, the NIB director personally contacted the chairman of the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to communicate his intention.

The land in question is located in the agri-mechanisation lands area, opposite the El Wak Stadium in Accra.

Kpebu raised concerns about serious irregularities surrounding the rezoning process of the land, describing it as fundamentally flawed. He explained that procedural lapses, including the failure to involve Parliament, rendered the rezoning exercise illegitimate.

“The director of the NIB, Mr. Nana Attobrah Quaicoe, called our chairman, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to inform him of his willingness to relinquish his parcel of land in the agri-mechanisation lands area, which is practically opposite the El Wak Stadium.

“It is government land, but the Akufo-Addo administration illegally rezoned it. Checks at the Town and Country Planning show that the right procedures were not followed. Parliament was not involved in the rezoning, so the entire exercise is problematic. As a result, the beneficiaries of the land have not properly acquired any property,” he stated.

ORAL was established by President John Dramani Mahama on December 18, 2024, to spearhead the recovery of state properties and assets unlawfully taken by individuals, particularly during past administrations.

The five-member team, led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been tasked with ensuring accountability and restoring public confidence in the management of state assets.

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Speaking to journalists in the Eastern Region, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the team has uncovered compelling evidence of large-scale looting of state assets.

“When we present our report, the Ghanaian people will witness the tremendous work that has gone into uncovering the extent of the loot and how we have successfully coordinated evidence for action by the Attorney General and other relevant institutions,” he stated.

Appointed by President John Dramani Mahama, the team comprises prominent individuals, including Nathan Kofi Boakye, Martin Kpebu, Raymond Archer, and Daniel Domelevo.

Their mandate is to investigate and document instances of state capture and asset misappropriation, culminating in a formal report to the President.

Ablakwa noted that the findings would remain confidential until the team formally submits its report to President Mahama.

The anticipated report is expected to expose the scale of alleged malfeasance during the Akufo-Addo administration and lay the groundwork for accountability and the recovery of stolen state assets.

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His remarks came in response to criticism from former Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who questioned the necessity of the newly formed ORAL committee announced by President Mahama.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticized the committee, arguing that it undermines existing state institutions tasked with combating corruption.

Speaking during his final remarks as Majority Leader of the 8th Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin dismissed the initiative as a “wild goose chase” and warned that it could be used for political retribution.

He expressed concerns that the committee’s activities might create an atmosphere of fear and instability in governance.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin further criticized the committee, saying it could lead to unnecessary pursuits of individuals on mere suspicion of corruption.

“We don’t want people chasing others into their homes, going into their rooms, thinking that their government is in office and therefore they should pursue people on suspicion of so-called corruption,” he said.

In response, Okudzeto Ablakwa, speaking in an interview with the media, assured the public that the committee would not target innocent individuals.

“If you have not taken anything that belongs to the Ghanaian people, you don’t have to fear ORAL. If you haven’t taken the people’s lands, hotels, forest reserves, river bodies, cars, or money, then you have nothing to fear. You shouldn’t be raving and ranting. All this sleeplessness and restlessness is so suspicious,” Ablakwa remarked.

He added, “Why are senior and leading members of the NPP, like Obiri Boahen and Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, welcoming ORAL? Even Hon. Ennin, the former MP for Obuasi East, has reached out to us and is assisting us. Those who have not looted or engaged in kleptocracy or lootocracy are not worried about ORAL. Why is Afenyo-Markin so concerned that people will come and look under their beds or into their accounts? Does that not raise suspicion? What are they hiding? What are they so afraid of? Why this outburst? He is beside himself and looks so frightened. Why is he scared?”

OKUDJETO ON ORAL

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