President-Elect John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has taken a decisive step to fulfill his anti-corruption campaign promises by establishing a dedicated team under his Transition Team to combat corruption.
The move signals his administration’s commitment to accountability as he prepares to be sworn into office come January 7th, 2025, following his victor in tye December 7th Presidential Election.
A press statement from the Transition Team outlined that the new initiative aims to “recover proceeds of corruption and hold persons responsible for such corruption accountable.” This effort aligns with Mahama’s 2024 campaign promise to root out corruption and restore public trust in governance.
The anti-corruption team, chaired by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, comprises a group of respected professionals with expertise in auditing, law enforcement, and investigative journalism. Members include:
- Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – Chairman
- Mr. Daniel Domelevo – Former Auditor-General
- COP (Rtd.) Nathaniel Kofi Boakye – Retired Police Commissioner
- Mr. Martin Kpebu – Private Legal Practitioner
- Mr. Raymond Archer – Investigative Journalist
This team has been tasked with receiving and gathering information from the public and other sources on suspected acts of corruption. Their work will form the backbone of Mahama’s anti-corruption drive, with a focus on swift action and accountability.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa accepts role
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.
In a post on his Facebook page, 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 🇬🇭 🙏🏾.”
Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)
A key component of Mahama’s anti-corruption agenda is the initiative Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), which was highlighted during his campaign. The President-Elect pledged to leverage local and foreign expertise to investigate and prosecute corrupt individuals.
Speaking at a Governance Forum in Accra in October, Mahama emphasized his determination to make corruption a high-risk venture. He outlined specific measures, including:
- Enacting legislation to prohibit political appointees and politically exposed persons from purchasing state assets.
- Establishing a state assets registrar to streamline the management of corruption-related cases.
“I’m affirming my commitment to root out the canker of corruption,” Mahama stated. “Operation Recover All the Loot will investigate and prosecute persons involved in corruption, using both local and foreign expertise to achieve this objective.”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the spokesperson for the Transition Team, reiterated that Mahama’s administration is determined to hit the ground running in the fight against corruption. The new team and ORAL initiative symbolize a fresh approach to governance, prioritizing transparency and trust in public institutions.