Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a lawyer and social activist, has emphasized the critical need for a multi-faceted approach to ensure the success of Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL).
According to him, the initiative requires a collective effort involving dedicated members across various sectors of society.
Barker-Vormawor stressed that for ORAL to achieve its objectives, it must have representation and active participation from diverse spheres, including the Police Service, Parliament, the judiciary, the media, the civil service, and civil society.
“In essence, You need allies everywhere. You need law reform and institutional realignment.
“It has to be pursued with the doggedness that even McCarthyism will applaud. But with due process and collaborative efficiency written into law”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
He further elaborated that the success of ORAL hinges on a shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice, with all these groups working in tandem to recover misappropriated resources and restore public trust.
Barker-Vormawor asserted that for Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) to achieve meaningful success, it must evolve into a state-sponsored ideology deeply embedded within the nation’s institutions and collective consciousness.
He emphasized that fighting corruption requires more than isolated efforts or rhetoric—it demands a systemic and unwavering commitment akin to a national creed.
He warned, however, that without such a unified and institutionalized approach, corruption would continue to thrive unchecked, mocking efforts to combat it from a distance. “…corruption will outwit us and laugh at our failure”.
The social activist expressed his belief that the preparatory committee for ORAL should have taken on the critical responsibility of defining a clear and actionable framework for addressing corruption.
According to him, this approach would have laid a solid foundation for the success of the initiative.
Instead, he criticized the committee’s role as being limited to receiving complaints and passing them on to state anti-corruption institutions, which he argued are widely perceived as ineffective and untrustworthy.
Looted Resources Recovery, Key to National Development
Furthermore, Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare, a Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, expressed his agreement, emphasizing that recovering looted resources is a fundamental cornerstone of the nation’s developmental agenda.
He underscored that this effort must be undertaken with steadfast determination, guided by principles of transparency and an unyielding commitment to justice.
According to Prof. Azar, reclaiming misappropriated funds and resources is not merely a moral imperative but a strategic necessity to ensure equitable development, restore public trust, and promote accountability within governance structures.
“It is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity to rebuild public trust, enhance governance, and create a fairer society where resources are used for the benefit of all, not the enrichment of a few”.
Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare
Prof. Asare further assured that there is no need for apprehension regarding the establishment of the ORAL Team, emphasizing that individuals who have not engaged in corrupt practices or misappropriation of resources have nothing to fear.
He clarified that the team’s focus is strictly on holding those accountable who have looted or misused public funds.
Prof. Azar highlighted that this initiative is not a witch hunt but a legitimate and necessary mechanism to safeguard national resources, reinforce ethical governance, and deter future misconduct.
He encouraged all citizens to support the effort, stressing that integrity and accountability are in the best interest of the nation as a whole.
However, Asare issued a stern warning to those who have engaged in the looting of public resources, stating that they should prepare for the sleepless nights that their actions have warranted.
He emphasized that the ORAL initiative is resolute in its mission to recover misappropriated funds and hold culprits accountable.
Prof. Azar noted that those who have abused their positions of trust to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation must face the consequences of their actions.
He underscored that this effort represents a turning point in the fight against corruption and serves as a clear signal that impunity will no longer be tolerated in Ghana’s governance.
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