On February 10, 2025, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Chairman of the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee, presented the team’s final report to President John Dramani Mahama at the seat of government in Accra.
ORAL, established by President Mahama on December 18, 2024, was tasked with gathering information on corruption to facilitate further investigations by appropriate government institutions. Over a 53-day period, the committee received a total of 2,417 complaints from individuals and civil society organizations. These submissions included 1,493 calls through a toll-free line and 924 emails.
The report identified approximately $21.19 billion in potential recoveries from looted state assets and undervalued land sales. Notably, investigations into 36 high-profile cases, such as the National Cathedral project, Power Distribution Services (PDS), and the Saltpond decommissioning project, could yield up to $20.49 billion. Additionally, the committee found that prime state lands were sold at significantly low prices, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of $702.8 million.
Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the substantial number of complaints received validates President Mahama’s decision to establish ORAL, highlighting its role in promoting transparency and accountable governance.
The findings and recommendations from the ORAL report are expected to guide further actions in holding individuals and entities accountable for financial misconduct, thereby strengthening governance and restoring public trust in state institutions.
