President-elect John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a bold initiative, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), aimed at addressing corruption and the mismanagement of state resources. The programme, a key feature of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governance strategy, was officially announced on December 18, 2024, and is set to play a pivotal role in Mahama’s upcoming administration.
ORAL is central to Mahama’s 120-day social contract agenda and focuses on recovering looted state assets, enforcing accountability, and implementing anti-corruption reforms. Mahama emphasized during his campaign that corruption must carry significant consequences, with strict punitive measures for offenders and robust mechanisms for reclaiming public funds.
A Strategic Team for Accountability
To spearhead the initiative, Mahama has appointed a five-member team comprising experts from various fields, ensuring a multi-faceted approach to tackling corruption. The team includes:
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – Chairman and Member of Parliament
The team’s mandate includes investigating corruption cases, recovering misappropriated resources, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to prosecute offenders.
Focus Areas of ORAL
The ORAL team has identified several high-profile cases to address, including:
Presidential Jet Scandal
This case involves former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s alleged misuse of luxury private jets for international trips, incurring costs of between GH¢2.8 million and GH¢4 million per trip despite the availability of a functional presidential jet. Public outrage heightened as the government declined to disclose full travel expenses, citing national security concerns.
National Cathedral Project
The stalled National Cathedral project, initially estimated at $58 million, has come under scrutiny for financial irregularities. Investigations revealed payments of GH¢113 million to architect Sir David Adjaye and $6 million to Cary Summers, CEO of Nehemiah Group, with little progress on construction. Public donations for the project have only reached GH¢794,990.01, sparking allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
Additionally, salaries amounting to GH¢2.2 million were paid to officials overseeing the project, despite no significant progress since 2022.
Ambulance Procurement Scandal
The procurement of 307 ambulances has also raised concerns, with reports indicating that $34.9 million was spent on spare parts—averaging $113,695 per ambulance. The exorbitant costs have led to questions about procurement practices and value for money.
Sputnik V Vaccine Scandal
The ORAL team will revisit the controversial procurement of Sputnik V vaccines, purchased at $19 per dose instead of the standard $10. Moreover, the vaccines were never delivered, and investigations pointed to intermediaries, including Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, raising doubts about the government’s procurement oversight.
Auditor-General’s Report
The urgency of ORAL is reinforced by findings in the Auditor-General’s 2023 report, which revealed financial irregularities across public institutions amount
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