Former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo expressed his deep disappointment if President John Dramani Mahama fails to act on the findings of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) preparatory team. This report, presented to the president on February 10, 2025, highlights serious concerns about corruption in Ghana, with the potential to recover a staggering $20.1 billion in stolen funds.
Domelevo, who is part of the ORAL team, emphasized the importance of thorough investigations into the allegations of corruption. He believes that the report should not be ignored. “The president promised there would be action,” he stated, expressing his optimism that President Mahama would take the necessary steps to hold accountable those involved in corruption.
The ORAL team gathered an impressive 2,417 complaints from the public regarding corrupt practices. After careful scrutiny, they identified 36 serious cases of embezzlement that could lead to significant financial recoveries. Domelevo noted that failing to investigate these cases would be a waste of the team’s efforts.
He also highlighted the need for the government to focus on recovering stolen funds rather than just imprisoning the offenders. According to Domelevo, jail time often does not prevent these individuals from enjoying the money they stole once they are released. “We should aim to recover the stolen money with additional surcharges,” he suggested. For instance, if someone embezzles $10 million, the goal should be to recover $15 or $20 million from them.
Domelevo expressed his satisfaction with President Mahama’s commitment to preventing further corruption. The president discussed not only the ORAL findings but also introduced the concept of “Operation Prevent All Loot” (OPAL). This initiative aims to stop future financial leakages and ensure that public funds are protected.
The report reveals that significant resources belong to taxpayers that can still be retrieved. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the chairman of the ORAL team, indicated that the potential recoveries include funds related to various scandals, including the National Cathedral project and state land misappropriations.
