Mahama gives ORAL update, says 33 corruption cases against Akufo-Addo appointees

Mahama: Attorney-General Pursuing 33 Corruption Cases from Akufo-Addo Era

President John Mahama announced that the Attorney-General is building 33 corruption cases. These cases involve former government officials from the Akufo-Addo administration.

During a meeting with the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption, Mahama stated that court proceedings will begin soon. He mentioned that special investigative teams are looking into each case.

Some investigations have uncovered evidence of illicit property acquisitions. Many cases are at the prosecution stage, while others are being prepared for trial.

The ORAL preparatory committee reported identifying $21.19 billion in potential recoveries. This includes looted state assets and undervalued land sales.

The committee's report highlighted major scandals like the National Cathedral project and Power Distribution Services (PDS). They found that prime state lands were sold at low prices, resulting in a revenue loss of $702.8 million.

Established on December 18, 2024, the ORAL committee aims to retrieve looted assets. It is chaired by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and includes notable members like former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo.

Mahama assured that ORAL is not targeting Akufo-Addo appointees despite some protests. The Minority in Parliament has urged these appointees to boycott the committee, claiming it lacks constitutional backing.

Ghanaians can report suspected corruption to ORAL via a toll-free number or email. The transition team promised to protect informants' confidentiality and security.

In related news, Ghana's score on the Global Corruption Perception Index dropped from 43 to 42 in 2024. The country ranked 80th out of 180 assessed nations according to Transparency International's latest report. This decline indicates setbacks in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts as it falls below the global average score of 43.