Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has warned the ruling NDC government that if the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) fails, Ghana is finished.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghanaians want swift justice, but the wheels of justice grind slowly.
He revealed that hundreds of houses have been confiscated, and numerous accounts have been frozen.
Ablakwa boldly added that if ORAL fails, Ghana is finished, adding that the very survival of our democracy is in peril.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, Ablakwa noted that the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine Akuritinga Ayine, is working tirelessly on the ORAL cases.
He explained, “The Attorney General does not want to go to court and give anyone a chance to escape on some technicality or sloppy investigation. He ensures the evidence is solid, making it very difficult for anyone to evade justice”.
“Hundreds of houses have been confiscated, numerous accounts have been frozen, and assets are being secured with support from investigative bodies including IOKO, BNI, Shiraj, and OSP.” He emphasised that if these assets are auctioned, “significant funds will be retrieved for the taxpayer”, he added.
The foreign minister reassured Ghanaians, “Yes, people want swift justice, but the wheels of justice grind slowly. What matters is the commitment, and I can assure you, our commitment has not faltered”.
“The president keeps telling us, I will not save you, I will not protect you, I will not be a clearing agent. See what is going on, learn from it, and conduct yourselves with accountability, transparency, and integrity,” he said.
“ORAL must succeed because we have no choice. If ORAL fails, we are finished, and the very survival of our democracy is in peril,” he said.
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.
Meanwhile, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the former Member of Parliament for Sekondi and former Minister for Tourism, has told President John Mahama, Ghanaians are waiting for the $21 billion he promised to recover through the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative.
Andrew Egyapa Mercer questioned the feasibility of the Mahama government’s claim that it can recover $21 billion from stolen state assets.
According to Andrew Egyapa Mercer, most of the alleged funds have already been disbursed and spent, which will make recovery difficult.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Mercer argued, “We were told that some $100 million or $80 million has been spent and that they were going to recover that money from the project. How are you going to do it? Contractors have been paid, people have worked and received remuneration. You tell Ghanaians that you were going to recover the money — how are you going to do it?” he asked.
“$21 billion is big — that Mr Mahama promised through his (ORAL) committee that we are going to recover for Ghana. We are waiting for them to recover it. The Big push is only $10 billion, and you have $20 billion,” he remarked.