The Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of President John Mahama’s five-member corruption investigative committee has stated that individuals who have not stolen from the state have no reason to fear Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).
His comments follow criticism from the immediate-past Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, regarding the newly formed ORAL committee, announced by President John Dramani Mahama.
Afenyo-Markin described the committee as unnecessary, arguing that it undermines existing state institutions responsible for fighting corruption. Speaking during his final remarks as Majority Leader of the 8th Parliament, he dismissed the initiative as a “wild goose chase” and warned that it could become a tool for political revenge. He expressed concern that the committee’s operations might destabilize governance by creating an atmosphere of fear and harassment.
“I want to add my voice to the call you made, that we should have a better way of dealing with issues of alleged corruption…we should allow the due process of law to take effect. It is on this note that I condemn in no uncertain terms the establishment of a so-called committee called ORAL (Operation Recover All Loot). I hold the humble view that it is a needless committee, it has no constitutional backing, and it is only in for a personal vendetta.
“If we allow this committee to continue with its so-called wild goose chase, it will disturb the governance of this country. We don’t need any so-called ORAL. We have institutions of the state. However unhappy we are with their work, we must support them to do their job.
“We don’t want people chasing others into their homes, going into their rooms, thinking that their government is in office and therefore they should pursue people on suspicion of so-called corruption,” he stated.
In response to Afenyo-Markin’s statement, Okudzeto Ablakwa, speaking in an interview with GHOne TV monitored by GhanaWeb, assured the public that the committee would not target innocent individuals.
“If you have not taken anything that belongs to the Ghanaian people, you don’t have to fear ORAL. If you haven’t taken the people’s lands, hotels, forest reserves, river bodies, cars, or money, then you have nothing to fear. You shouldn’t be raving and ranting. All this sleeplessness and restlessness is so suspicious,” Ablakwa remarked.
He added: “Why are senior and leading members of the NPP, like Obiri Boahen and Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, welcoming ORAL? Even Hon. Ennin, the former MP for Obuasi East, has reached out to us and is assisting us. Those who have not looted or engaged in kleptocracy or lootocracy are not worried about ORAL. Why is Afenyo-Markin so concerned that people will come and look under their beds or into their accounts? Does that not raise suspicion? What are they hiding? What are they so afraid of? Why this outburst? He is beside himself and looks so frightened. Why is he scared?”
