Politics of Wednesday, 24 September 2025

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

ORAL is now Operation Release All Looters – Weija MP

Jerry Ahmed speaking to GhanaWeb TV play videoJerry Ahmed speaking to GhanaWeb TV

The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has accused the government of reneging on its 2024 electioneering campaign message, which included using its "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL) to recover all money stolen from the state.

According to him, the much-trumpeted catchphrase, which all Ghanaians generally welcomed as a means to stop wanton corruption in public office and safeguard the national purse, has suddenly taken on a different meaning just eight months after the government was formed.

Speaking to GhanaWeb TV during a demonstration organised by the youth wing of his party on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Ahmed mentioned that the ORAL has now turned to "Operation Release All Looters."

"The real ORAL, now for me, means that Operation Release All Looters and then arrest people who are against our party. You cannot talk- there's so much that they said during their time as a form of hate speech," he said.

He added that "Now, when you post something, president calls himself the IP man and he's able to trace whoever and wherever you are and he gets people to be picked up. It's just so unbearable."

"You have to be focused as a president and let the institutions work for tomorrow's sake because nobody is going to be president forever," he added.

He called on the government to use what he termed "proper procedure” to deal with people who violate the law in a manner that is generally acceptable.


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"Nobody is saying that don't go after people you think have committed crimes, but use the proper procedure, and it is high time we [understood] that we have no Ghana anywhere apart from this Ghana.

"So, if you have ever studied Karl Marx, there's what we call economic determinism and historical materialism. People will, at a stage, not be able to stand whatever you are doing, and they will revolt.

And if you are not careful, you will be surprised at the kind of people who will join that kind of revolt. Let us stop weaponising state institutions, including even the judiciary. I mean, what's this?" he emphasised.

Leaders of the demonstration, which was named "Yɛn Suro Ahunahuna," to wit, "We are not afraid of intimidation," formally presented a petition to the president at Jubilee House.

When the ORAL Committee completed its work, a brief ceremony was held for the president to receive the report formally.

Chairman of the Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who presented a summary of the findings, disclosed that thirty-six (36) financial cases reviewed were estimated to be worth $20.49 billion.

According to a summary of the report as presented by Ablakwa, the cost of land cases alone was estimated at $702.8 million.

President Mahama, upon receipt of the report, stated that "Ghana is no longer a safe haven for corruption. To those who stand for integrity, accountability, and the rule of law, I assure you that this government remains your steadfast partner in building a nation where honesty and hard work are rewarded."

He subsequently handed the report to the Attorney General and Minister for Justice with a directive to immediately begin investigations into the committee's findings.

However, the Attorney General and the government have maintained a deafening silence on the report, which was intended to recover purportedly stolen money from members of the erstwhile administration to develop the country.



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