NPP UK Chair: ORAL is not a bad initiative, but Ablakwa and others are corrupt and incapable of fighting corruption

Kingsley Adumattah Agyapong, also known as Wofa K, the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) UK branch, has voiced his concerns over the credibility of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, as the leader of the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee. Wofa K has stated that Ablakwa is not a suitable candidate to head this critical initiative, which aims to fight corruption and recover assets looted by public officials.

Speaking during an appearance on ‘As it is in Ghana’ with Sir Richie on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM in Ghana and 92.4FM in the UK, Wofa K argued that the ORAL committee’s leadership should be comprised of individuals who possess impeccable integrity. He questioned Ablakwa’s credibility, suggesting that his past actions disqualify him from leading a campaign against corruption.

Wofa K highlighted that the ORAL initiative is a good concept in theory, but it requires the right leadership to be effective. The committee is designed to focus on the recovery of assets stolen by public officials, an effort Wofa K believes is noble but undermined by the involvement of individuals with questionable backgrounds. In his view, the committee should be led by individuals with a strong track record of honesty and transparency.

“I have seen the team that Mahama has assembled with the aim of recovering all looted assets,” Wofa K said. “Unfortunately, some of these committee members come with corrupt backgrounds and mindsets. People like Okudzeto Ablakwa are simply unfit to lead such an important anti-corruption committee.”

He further criticized Ablakwa by referring to incidents in which he was allegedly involved in activities that raised questions about his integrity. One such incident, according to Wofa K, involved a situation where Ablakwa’s car was allegedly washed, and over GH₵250,000 was reported missing. Wofa K also referenced accusations from Martin Amidu, the former Special Prosecutor, who alleged that Ablakwa played a role in the “create, loot, and share” judgment debt cases. In Wofa K’s view, Ablakwa’s involvement in pushing for judgment debts to be approved by the Attorney General further undermines his trustworthiness.

Additionally, Wofa K took aim at other members of the ORAL committee, including Domelevo, the former Auditor-General, who has faced accusations of falsifying his age in order to remain in office longer instead of receiving his pension. Wofa K believes that such allegations of misconduct against key members of the committee damage the credibility of the ORAL initiative and its ability to effectively combat corruption.

He expressed concern that the individuals who have been chosen to lead the ORAL initiative are not only unqualified but also likely to fail in their mission to recover looted assets. Wofa K emphasized that, for a campaign like ORAL to be taken seriously, it requires leaders who are above reproach and who have demonstrated their commitment to transparency and accountability.

Despite his concerns over the leadership of the committee, Wofa K acknowledged that the ORAL initiative itself is a good idea, aimed at addressing corruption and promoting accountability within the public sector. However, he stressed that the success of such an initiative hinges on having the right people at the helm—people who have earned the trust of the public through their actions, not their allegations.

“The Ghanaian public expects integrity, transparency, and fairness from those who lead anti-corruption campaigns,” Wofa K added. “Unfortunately, the current leadership of the ORAL committee, with people like Ablakwa at the forefront, undermines the credibility of this effort.”

Wofa K concluded by urging that for any anti-corruption initiative to be successful, it is essential that those leading the charge have a clear record of ethical conduct. Until such leadership is provided, he believes the ORAL committee will struggle to gain the trust and support of the public.