The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed gratitude and a strong sense of duty after being named Chairman of President-elect John Dramani Mahama’s newly established anti-corruption unit, the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Team.

A New Chapter in Anti-Corruption Efforts

In a post on his social media, Mr. Ablakwa wrote: “I humbly accept to chair this ORAL Team with a profound sense of duty, integrity, and patriotism. We are grateful to President-elect H.E. John Mahama for the confidence reposed in us. For God and Country. Ghana First.” The ORAL Team forms a key component of the President-elect’s strategy to combat corruption, deliver accountability, and recover misappropriated state assets.

Team Composition and Mandate

The ORAL Team, chaired by Mr. Ablakwa, includes notable figures with significant expertise in law, auditing, law enforcement, and investigative journalism. The team members are:

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa: Chairman and Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
Daniel Domelevo: Former Auditor-General.
COP (Rtd.) Nathaniel Kofi Boakye: Retired Police Commissioner.
Martin Kpebu: Private Legal Practitioner.
Raymond Archer: Investigative Journalist.

The team’s mandate includes gathering information from the public and other sources on suspected acts of corruption. This initiative aligns with campaign promises made by Mr. Mahama, who vowed to tackle corruption decisively and restore public trust in governance.

President-elect’s Commitment to Accountability

During a Governance Forum in Accra earlier this year, Mr. Mahama outlined his anti-corruption strategy, which includes leveraging both local and international expertise to prosecute corrupt officials and recover stolen assets. As part of his policy platform, the President-elect also pledged to:

Introduce legislation prohibiting political appointees and public officials from purchasing state assets.
Establish a state assets registrar to improve management and transparency.
Combat the phenomenon of state capture to safeguard public resources.

Public Assurance

Mr. Ablakwa has assured the public that the committee will conduct its work honestly and impartially. He emphasized that the committee is not on a mission of “personal vendetta” or aimed at targeting innocent individuals who have committed no crime. The core mandate of the committee is to collect and investigate suspected corruption cases and related matters.

Challenges and Expectations

The establishment of the ORAL Team comes with high expectations from the public, who are eager to see tangible results in the fight against corruption. However, the team will face significant challenges, including potential resistance from powerful individuals and institutions implicated in corruption. The success of the ORAL Team will depend on its ability to navigate these challenges and maintain its integrity and independence.

Looking Ahead

As the ORAL Team begins its work, there is a sense of optimism and anticipation. The public is hopeful that this new approach will lead to meaningful change and restore confidence in Ghana’s governance. The team’s efforts will be closely watched, and their success will be measured by their ability to recover stolen assets and hold corrupt individuals accountable.

The establishment of the ORAL Team marks a significant step in President-elect Mahama’s efforts to combat corruption and enforce accountability in Ghana. With a dedicated team of experts, the initiative aims to recover proceeds of corruption and hold individuals responsible for financial malfeasance. The public remains hopeful that this new approach will lead to meaningful change and restore confidence in Ghana’s governance.