Okudzeto Ablakwa Takes On Role as Chairman of President-elect Mahama's Anti-Corruption Unit

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has expressed both his appreciation and a deep sense of responsibility following his appointment as the Chairman of the newly formed anti-corruption unit, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), by President-elect John Dramani Mahama. Ablakwa’s appointment is part of a broader initiative by the incoming administration to tackle corruption and recover misappropriated public assets.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Ablakwa acknowledged the significant responsibility placed on him, writing, “I humbly accept to chair this ORAL Team with a profound sense of duty, integrity, and patriotism. We are grateful to President-elect H.E. John Mahama for the confidence reposed in us. For God and Country. Ghana First 🇬🇭 🙏🏾.” This statement highlights his commitment to the cause and the values of integrity and national pride that he brings to his new role.

The ORAL Team has been established as a key component of President-elect Mahama’s anti-corruption strategy, which aims to address financial misconduct, hold individuals accountable, and recover stolen public resources. This initiative aligns with Mahama’s campaign promises to fight corruption head-on and restore trust in the governance system. In addition to tackling corruption, the team’s mandate includes the collection of information from the public and other sources to investigate suspected acts of corruption across various sectors.

The ORAL Team, chaired by Ablakwa, is made up of highly experienced and qualified individuals who bring a range of expertise in law, auditing, law enforcement, and investigative journalism. The members of the team include:

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Chairman and Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
Mr. Daniel Domelevo, former Auditor-General of Ghana.
COP (Rtd.) Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, retired Police Commissioner.
Mr. Martin Kpebu, private legal practitioner.
Mr. Raymond Archer, investigative journalist.

This team will play an essential role in the broader agenda of President-elect Mahama’s administration, which seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice within Ghana’s public sector. The aim is to recover the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for financial wrongdoing accountable, ultimately restoring confidence in the country’s governance and public institutions.

Earlier this year, President-elect Mahama elaborated on his anti-corruption strategy during a Governance Forum in Accra, where he outlined his vision for tackling corruption through a multi-faceted approach. This includes collaborating with both local and international expertise to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials and recover stolen assets. As part of his platform, Mahama pledged to introduce several key policies, including:

Legislation to prevent political appointees and public officials from purchasing state assets.
The establishment of a state assets registrar to improve the management, monitoring, and transparency of public assets.
Efforts to combat state capture, ensuring that public resources are safeguarded from exploitation by powerful elites.

Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson for the Transition Team, emphasized that President-elect Mahama is committed to swiftly enacting his anti-corruption agenda, signaling his intent to take immediate action once in office. The formation of the ORAL Team underscores this commitment and serves as a crucial step toward holding corrupt individuals accountable, recovering looted state assets, and strengthening the integrity of Ghana’s public institutions.

Ablakwa’s leadership of the ORAL Team, alongside the expertise of the team’s members, promises to bring a strategic and robust approach to tackling corruption in the country. As Ghana moves toward a new chapter of governance under President-elect Mahama, the establishment of this team marks a significant effort in the fight against corruption, ensuring that the resources of the state are used responsibly and transparently for the benefit of all citizens. This initiative reflects a broader vision of a Ghana that is free from the shackles of corruption and dedicated to building a fairer, more accountable system of governance for future generations.