After 53 days of intensive work, the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee has lastly submitted its report back to President John Dramani Mahama. The report particulars circumstances of corruption involving public officers, notably underneath the previous authorities, as a part of efforts to fight the menace.
The five-member committee, chaired by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, offered the findings to the President on Monday, tenth February 2025, on the Jubilee Home.
In his speech, Mr Ablakwa revealed that the committee acquired a complete of two,417 circumstances, with 1,493 reported by way of telephone calls and 924 by way of emails. He emphasised that the institution of the committee was each well timed and important within the combat in opposition to corruption.
It was the best determination for our nation, and it has deepened transparency and accountable governance. During the last 53 days, we have now reviewed these petitions. 44 have been acquired instantly from civil society organisations and different public-spirited residents. 59 out of the 230 circumstances we reviewed, together with the paperwork we’re submitting at this time, have been circumstances that had surfaced whereas the NDC was in opposition.
He additional famous that the ORAL Committee efficiently prevented the demolition of fifty bungalows, together with these belonging to the Nationwide Improvement Authority, by personal people, with the help of Nationwide Safety.
$21 Billion in Potential Recoveries
Mr Ablakwa disclosed that 36 circumstances reviewed intimately might result in the restoration of over $20 billion.
The 36 circumstances we have now reviewed intimately, if efficiently pursued, might consequence within the restoration of $20.49 billion. These embody circumstances such because the Nationwide Cathedral, PDS, SML, and GNPC Saltpond decommissioning.
Moreover, he highlighted that circumstances involving state lands might additionally result in important monetary restoration.
We’ve got additionally estimated the worth of state lands captured by people. If these people are made to pay the conservative market worth for the lands they’ve taken, we might get well roughly $702.8 million for the Ghanaian folks.
President Mahama Pledges Motion
Receiving the report, President Mahama reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to recovering misappropriated state funds. He introduced that the report had been handed over to the Legal professional-Common, Dr Dominic Ayine, for additional motion, assuring that every one recovered monies can be returned to state coffers.
The committee, chaired by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, contains former Auditor-Common Daniel Domelevo, retired Commissioner of Police Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, personal authorized practitioner Martin Kpebu, and investigative journalist Raymond Archer.
The nation now awaits decisive motion as the federal government strikes to carry corrupt officers accountable and get well the nation’s misplaced assets.