The whole dossier on the National Service phantom names issue, which conservative estimates show has cost Ghana more than GHS500 million, was delivered today to Team Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL). On Friday, December 20, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the team's leader, made this announcement. "The presentation and the extraordinary patriotism of The Fourth Estate and the Media Foundation for West Africa are greatly appreciated. On his X page, he stated, "We will reset Ghana together and recover all the loot." The team had previously promised that any information they received from the public would be handled quickly and with the highest secrecy. This was said by the team following the launch of new interactive platforms designed to combat corruption.
The public can safely report suspected corruption through a variety of methods as part of the initiative. The team has established a dedicated website, www.oralgh.org, a toll-free number, 0800 900 111, and an email address, [email protected]. These actions are intended to promote openness and public participation in the anti-corruption campaign. The public was reassured in the statement that any information supplied will be processed in the strictest confidence and quickly to guarantee prompt response. The platforms are a component of larger initiatives to improve accountability and fortify governance in the future government. President-elect John Dramani Mahama has previously stated that there appeared to be misunderstandings regarding the ORAL team's activities.
He made it clear that the team's sole responsibility is to gather information about official corruption and convey it to the appropriate state agencies so they may take appropriate action. "People are confused about ORAL, which I announced the preparatory committee," he remarked. People are sending me texts on my phones, calling me, and passing information through others. We are getting a lot of information about corruption scandals, problems, and other things. We want a central location to which all of the evidence can be directed so that, when we take office, they can compile it.
Instead of conducting individual investigations, ORAL will collect evidence and forward it to the organizations tasked with carrying out that type of job. If anyone has information they believe will help the team fight corruption, share it with them. The team is not making any payments, and there is no funding for it. Concerns over the team's operations have been voiced by several Ghanaians ever since its creation. Kwasi Yirenkyi, a governance expert, for example, stated that the establishment of this committee is superfluous since state institutions already have the power and means to carry out tasks like obtaining evidence and prosecuting cases.
"In my opinion, there is no need for this newly established team; everything is going as usual. It seems to me like a squad put together to please party members and those who might have legitimate reservations about the way certain officials have gotten their hands dirty. However, state agencies such as the Attorney General's Department, EOCO, CID, and NIB are already in place to carry out the tasks assigned to this team. Who will take action based on the data and proof that this team collects? Since they have the legal capacity to do so, the EOCO, CID, or NIB will need to take action," he told reporters in Accra on Wednesday, December 18.
As a prelude to implementing the pledge to recover corrupt proceeds and hold those accountable, the president-elect's transition team declared that a team has been formed to collect information from the public and other sources regarding suspected corruption. The group includes: Henry Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Chairman Former Auditor-General COP (Rtd.) Mr. Daniel Domelevo Nathaniel Boakye Kofi Mr. Martin Kpebu, an independent attorney Mr. Raymond Archer, Journalist with Investigative Skills "Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), a key tenet of H.E. John Mahama's policy program for the 2024 campaign, was anti-corruption. He plans to start working immediately on these commitments," the transition team said in a statement.
Joyce Bawa Mogtari, the president-elect's special adviser, had earlier warned anybody involved in corruption during the present NPP government to get ready to face the full weight of the law. ORAL seeks to recover all funds associated with accusations of corruption. Mogtari reaffirmed the new government's dedication to accountability and responsible financial management in an interview with Channel One TV on Tuesday, December 10. She emphasized that Ghanaians look to the next NDC government to solve the urgent food problem and revive the economy. Everything else will prosper if we can recover the economy. Mahama has won a huge victory from Ghanaians. We must retrieve the resources that have been looted and finish all unfinished projects," she stated.
Mahama is aware of the youth's desire for accountability, respect, and change from their leaders, Mogtari continued. You are aware that a sizable sum of money is outstanding to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). For what reason are they due? This was a simple intervention—we would have power if they were compensated. However, the reason behind their decision to stop exporting power has not been disclosed. There must be a problem. Why is investment at its lowest level ever? "We have 12,000 kilometers of roads, but why haven't we seen them? Why is corruption not being addressed more? She enquired.
She also questioned the finance minister's attempts to boost the economy and criticized the existing administration. "Nothing has been carried out. Even when the entire nation is in limbo, individuals are still spending money. They would have grabbed the remaining funds, kept them in their pockets, and gone to bed if we hadn't won the elections," she said.

Source: 3News