The newly formed anti-graft team, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), chaired by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured the public that its activities will not place any financial burden on taxpayers.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the team, which held its first meeting at 2 pm on Tuesday, has resolved to work gratis.
“We shall not be receiving salaries, allowances, per-diems, or fuel coupons. None of our activities will come at a cost to the taxpayer. We continue to count on your support; let’s do this for God and Country,” he stated.
The ORAL team, a key initiative by President-elect John Dramani Mahama to fulfill his 2024 campaign promise of fighting corruption, will focus on recovering looted public funds and holding individuals accountable for corrupt practices. It will rely on reports from the public and other sources to investigate suspected cases of corruption.
However, prior to Ablakwa’s clarification, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin raised concerns about the source of funding for the committee’s operations. He emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “If a private individual is funding it, they are talking about corruption; we need to know who is funding it.”
The ORAL committee comprises notable anti-corruption advocates, including former Auditor-General Mr. Daniel Domelovo, retired COP Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, private legal practitioner Mr. Martin Kpebu, and investigative journalist Mr. Raymond Archer.
Mr. Domelovo has expressed confidence in the team’s mission, highlighting their commitment to recovering misappropriated funds and investigating corruption allegations.
Corruption and the recovery of stolen public resources were pivotal elements of Mahama’s 2024 campaign platform, and the swift formation of the ORAL team underscores his determination to deliver on this promise once he assumes office.
