The National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for South Dayi Constituency, Hon. Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamakpor has justified President-Elect John Dramani Mahama’s enlistment of a preparatory anti-corruption team ahead of his inauguration on January 7th 2025.
The South Dayi lawmaker, in a strong defence, clarified the purpose and framework of the committee, shedding light on its legal foundation and strategic importance.
Hon. Dafeamakpor emphasised that the committee is a preparatory body constituted in accordance with Section 4 of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845).
“This Ablakwa-led Anti State-Loot Team is actually a Preparatory Committee constituted in pursuance of Sec 4 of Act 845, 2012. It’s to inter alia; trace, gather & collate concrete evidence for the REAL ORAL WORK ahead.”
Hon. Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamakpor, NDC MP for South Dayi Constituency
Hon. Dafeamakpor urged some critics, including the Majority Leader and MP for Effutu, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin and the public to shift focus from the cost implications of the committee’s work to the quality of evidence it will produce, which is pivotal for successful prosecutions and the recovery of state assets.
“This is part of the transitional processes. Instead of worrying about the cost, Ghanaians should be interested in the quality of the committee’s output,” he remarked.
Innovative Suggestions for Efficiency
On the other hand, Barnabas Nii Laryea, Executive Director of PML Global, has outlined some innovative proposals to bolster the committee’s effectiveness.
In an open letter to President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, Mr Laryea suggested the development of a secure online platform to encourage public participation in exposing corruption.
This proposed portal, he explained, would allow individuals to anonymously submit evidence of corruption-related offenses.
To ensure privacy and security, each submission would be linked to a unique code, allowing the reporter to monitor the progress of their tip without revealing their identity.
“If my report, leads to credible prima facie evidence that facilitates a successful prosecution and recovery of that loot. The anonymous reporter is entitled to 5% or 10% of the recovered funds……. This collection will be done with the presentation of that unique code and can be picked up by any person who presents the code to the payer.”
Barnabas Nii Laryea, Executive Director of PML Global
He described this as a means to “commercialise” the anti-corruption effort while addressing pressing economic needs. “By encouraging bystanders to act, we can save the nation and improve personal livelihoods simultaneously,” he argued.
In accordance with a strong campaign promise and in accordance with the urgent need to fight corruption head-on, President-Elect Mahama has today, set up a preparatory team towards his anti-corruption agenda aka, Operation Recover All looted assets ( ORAL).
This was done on the sidelines of the Transition Committee’s work to immediately commence investigations into allegations of corruption, state capture and alleged looting of public property, funds and assets by government officials and other key actors.
The committee, led by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu is tasked with gathering information from the public and other credible sources on suspected acts of corruption, and it is expected to function as a vital instrument for accountability and justice.
The Committee is chaired by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, with former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelovo, renowned investigative journalist, Raymond Archer, COP (Rtd) Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, and private legal practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu as members.
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