“We Don’t Need Any So-Called ORAL” – Afenyo-Markin Criticises Mahama’s Anti-Corruption Committee

Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has condemned the establishment of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee, describing it as a “needless” and unconstitutional initiative that undermines existing state institutions tasked with fighting corruption.

“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 a due process of law to take effect. It is on this note that I condemn in all 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 this is only in for a personal vendetta,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

The committee, announced by President-elect John Dramani Mahama, was formed to investigate and recover state resources allegedly looted during the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration.

The five-member team includes notable figures such as former Auditor-General Daniel Domelovo, retired Commissioner of Police Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, and investigative journalist Raymond Archer.

Afenyo-Markin warned that the committee could destabilise governance and foster an environment of fear and harassment.

“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 work.

“We don’t want people to be chasing people into their houses, going into their rooms thinking that their government is in office so they should chase people on suspicion of so-called corruption,” he added.

The chairman of the committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured the public that ORAL will complement, not duplicate, the efforts of existing anti-corruption bodies.