The government has rejected claims that its flagship anti-corruption initiative has failed, insisting that the programme remains active and continues to pursue investigations into alleged financial misconduct within public institutions.
Speaking in an interview, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the anti-corruption programme known as Operation Recover All Loot remains fully operational under the administration of John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, suggestions that the programme has stalled are inaccurate and form part of political propaganda intended to undermine the government’s efforts to address corruption.
“ORAL is not dead. It is active and in full force. What we are doing is following the rule of law and allowing the institutions responsible for investigations and prosecutions to carry out their work.”
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Understanding the Scope of Corruption Allegations
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that public debate about the programme has often focused on figures associated with alleged financial losses without fully understanding their context.
He said that when corruption cases are discussed, the amounts mentioned typically represent the value of projects connected to the allegations rather than the amount of money that can realistically be recovered by the state.
To illustrate this point, he referred to irregularities uncovered within the National Service Authority (Ghana). According to him, early estimates suggested that around 600 million Ghana cedis were involved in the suspected wrongdoing.
However, an audit conducted by the Ghana Audit Service later revealed that the figure could reach as high as two billion cedis. Even with that discovery, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said recovering the entire amount would be difficult because some of the funds may already have been spent or diverted.
“If you hold people responsible, you are unlikely to recover the entire amount because the money may have been squandered or used in ways that cannot be reversed”.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu
He also cited the construction of the new headquarters of the Bank of Ghana, which has drawn public attention because of its estimated cost of 400 million dollars. In such cases, he said, the completed project itself becomes a state asset, meaning that financial recovery cannot simply match the full value of the project.
Formation of the ORAL Committee
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that the initiative began shortly after President Mahama won the national elections. During the transition period before his inauguration, the President established a preparatory body known as the ORAL committee on December 18 to gather information on suspected corruption cases.
The spokesperson said the committee’s role was limited to collecting and reviewing allegations rather than prosecuting suspects. More than two thousand allegations were reportedly submitted to the committee during its work.
After reviewing the information, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson disclosed that about 280 cases were identified as having sufficient basis to warrant further investigation.
“It was necessary to sift through the allegations carefully. Not every complaint has substance, and it would have been irresponsible to treat all of them as criminal cases.”
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Investigations by State Agencies
Once the committee completed its review, the identified cases were distributed to state investigative agencies with the legal authority to conduct formal investigations.
These agencies include the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the National Intelligence Bureau, and the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service. According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, investigators from these institutions have been actively examining the cases and preparing evidence for prosecution.
He indicated that the National Intelligence Bureau alone has reviewed more than twenty seven cases and compiled investigative dockets for submission to the Attorney General.
These investigations have involved questioning several individuals and collecting statements as part of the legal process required before charges can be filed. Among those who have been questioned is former Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu in connection with investigations into the Sputnik V vaccine procurement during the COVID period.
Cases Already Before the Courts
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said some cases connected to the initiative are already before the courts. One example is the National Service Authority case involving former deputy executive director Gifty Oware Mensah, which is currently undergoing legal proceedings.
Investigations related to the proposed Accra SkyTrain project have also resulted in legal action involving former officials of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund. These include former chief executive Solomon Asamoah and former board chair Ameyaw Ekumfi.
Other cases mentioned by the spokesperson include investigations into projects such as the Boankra Inland Port development, the operations of the National Lottery Authority, the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project, and the implementation of free public Wi Fi services.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the legal process requires investigators to build comprehensive case files before prosecutors can formally charge suspects.
Addressing Concerns About Judicial Delays
Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that some members of the public have expressed frustration about the pace of prosecutions. However, he emphasised that delays within the judicial system are a long standing issue and cannot be attributed solely to the government’s anti corruption programme.
“The government cannot interfere with the courts simply to achieve a political outcome. We must respect the independence of the judiciary and allow due process to take place.”
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu
At the same time, he revealed that the government is pursuing reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the justice system. One such proposal involves the reintroduction of specialised tribunals that could handle specific categories of cases, including corruption and illegal mining offences.
According to Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, a bill supporting this reform has already received approval from Cabinet and is expected to be presented to Parliament.
Government Urges Focus on Facts
Mr Kwakye Ofosu urged the public to distinguish between factual developments and political narratives surrounding the programme. He said the administration remains committed to ensuring that allegations of corruption are investigated thoroughly and that individuals found responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
For the government, he added, the objective of Operation Recover All Loot is not only to retrieve public funds but also to strengthen accountability and deter future misconduct within public institutions.
