Dr Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, has said the ORAL Chairman and now Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, created unnecessary pressure on his office.
According to the Attorney General, Ablakwa’s $20 billion ORAL’s projection recovery places enormous pressure on him because Ghanaians now expect that amount to be delivered.
It will be recalled that on February 10, 2025, the ORAL team submitted their final report to President John Mahama, who has since directed the Attorney General for further actions.
The chairman of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that with just 36 cases, Ghana can potentially recover $ 20.49 billion in stolen state resources.
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday, Dr Ayine explained that the $20 billion was Ablakwa’s own calculations and estimates.
He, however, asserted that the recovery could approach $20 billion if funds being pursued offshore are taken into account.
Dr Ayine detailed, “First, I was asked when we are going to see the $20 billion being recovered. I explained that this figure was a projection made by the ORAL Committee Chairperson, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, when we came into power.
“On the day the ORAL report was handed over to me, he mentioned the $20.1 billion figure. However, that amount was based on his own calculations and estimates.” He stated.
He further explained, “When you take DRIP, the amount involved is over $100 million. When you consider the estimated value of lands allegedly looted, including prime lands such as those in Cantonments, the figures rise significantly.
However, the amount mentioned by the ORAL Chairman was more of a back-of-the-envelope calculation rather than a precise or verified figure. The expectation of a $20 billion recovery places enormous pressure on me because the public now expects that amount to be delivered.”
Dr Ayine further detailed, “It could approach $20 billion if funds being pursued offshore are taken into account, because a lot of money was moved out of the country. But when it comes to what is currently in-country, the figures will depend on the specific cases under investigation.”
Meanwhile, Ellen Ama Daaku, an aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has fired shots at the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to Ellen Ama Daaku, the ruling NDC government in opposition made so much noise about the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) without evidence.
She asserted that after a year, the NDC government has failed to deliver on their promise to Ghanaians.
The NPP woman is quoted by GHOne TV to have said, “NDC made noise about ORAL without any evidence, after a year, they’ve not been able to prove anything”.