President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling corruption, emphasizing that the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative is a crucial tool in this fight.
Speaking to members of the Ghana Bar Association, Mahama sought to clarify the purpose of ORAL, which has been the subject of controversy.
“One of the issues we are confronted with is the issue of corruption and accountability in office. It’s become the norm for people to dip their hands into the public purse or misappropriate funds,” Mahama stated, highlighting the need for a robust anti-corruption framework.
The President noted that corruption was among the top five concerns of Ghanaians during the last campaign, underscoring the importance of addressing this issue.
ORAL, he explained, was designed to provide a direct platform for whistleblowers, with a hotline that has received over 2,000 calls.
While acknowledging that some allegations proved baseless, Mahama emphasized that others were substantial and were forwarded to the Attorney General for further action.
He stressed that ORAL is not a tool for political persecution, but rather a vital mechanism in the fight against corruption.
“So I just wanted to clarify that it’s not an instrument for witch-hunting anybody. It’s an instrument for assisting in the fight against corruption,” Mahama affirmed, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.