Ghanaian businessman Abdul Jinsar Matheen, alias General Matheen, has hailed President-Elect John Dramani Mahama for his decision to set up a preparatory team for his flagship anti-corruption program, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).

General Matheen, who is a leading member of the National Democratic Congress, stated that John Mahama trumpeted ORAL as one of his major policies during the campaign period and that it is imperative he fulfills the promise he made to Ghanaians.

He stated that the popularity of the ORAL policy comes from the perception by Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo administration had engaged in state resource capture and that it is important for the incoming administration to recover the allegedly looted state resources.

General Matheen believes that the committee appointed by John Mahama to collect information on possible corrupt practices in the Akufo-Addo administration will do a great job for the country.

“John Mahama made a commitment to Ghanaians during the campaign, and it is important that he fulfills the promise he made to the public. ORAL and the 24-hour economy were the most popular slogans because Ghanaians have seen the corruption under the Akufo-Addo government and want something to be done. If Mahama is unable to deal with them, it will be a blot on his government, and we will be punished for it.

“ORAL has come to stay, and it is important that we make it work because we promised Ghanaians. The likes of Ablakwa, COP Kofi Boakye, Martin Kpebu, Yao Domelevo, and Raymond Archer are distinguished personalities who I believe will do a great job,” he said.

General Matheen also urged the committee not to engage in witch-hunting but rather focus on recovering stolen state resources.

“I look at the members, and I don't think they are men who will go after people just to show them where power lies. They are going to do a great job and ensure that corruption becomes a high-paying crime in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed satisfaction with the growing support and enthusiasm among non-New Patriotic Party members for the program.

He stressed that the initiative is not a partisan effort but a national cause to protect Ghana’s resources.

“Great to see more NPP stalwarts support Mahama’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).”