ORAL shows Mahama doesn’t trust state institutions – Assafuah

The establishment of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) by President-elect John Mahama has sparked controversy, with critics like Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo, calling it unconstitutional and unnecessary.

Assafuah argues that institutions like EOCO, OSP, and CHRAJ are equipped to handle corruption cases, rendering ORAL redundant.

Similarly, Ghana Integrity Initiative’s Mary Addah labeled ORAL a “populist” move aimed at appeasing the public, emphasizing the importance of using existing state institutions to combat corruption.

Mahama, however, clarified that ORAL is not an investigative body but a focal point for collecting evidence on corruption for submission to state agencies. He stressed that ORAL aims to streamline information gathering without duplicating institutional roles.

The debate highlights concerns about institutional trust and effective governance.