Kofi Bentil’s Perspective on Loot Recovery
Private legal practitioner Kofi Bentil has critiqued Ghana’s cyclical challenges with loot recovery. He argues that without learning from past experiences, the same issues will persist.
Referring to historical examples, he warns that citizens often bear the brunt of these cycles, where “recoverers become looters” and vice versa.
Bentil cited the unresolved Woyome scandal as evidence of ineffective mechanisms and called for greater scrutiny of both major political parties.
Prof. Kwaku Asare’s Call for Transparency in Loot Recovery
In contrast, U.S.-based Professor Kwaku Asare underscored the importance of loot recovery as essential for Ghana’s development.
He emphasized the need for transparency, justice, and strategic determination in such efforts. According to Prof. Asare, this process can rebuild public trust, enhance governance, and foster equitable use of resources.
He encouraged those with clean records to support the initiative while warning that wrongdoers should prepare for accountability.
John Mahama’s ORAL Initiative
President-elect John Dramani Mahama has introduced Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL), a focal team designed to collect public information on corruption.
The team, chaired by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, aims to compile evidence for submission to the Attorney-General’s office. Mahama clarified that ORAL is not an investigative body but a repository for corruption-related evidence.
Criticism of ORAL
Despite its stated intentions, ORAL has faced significant criticism:
- Vincent Ekow Assafuah: The Old Tafo MP described ORAL as an unconstitutional and populist initiative lacking legal basis. He accused the team of making unsubstantiated allegations and warned of potential defamation suits.
- Mary Addah (Ghana Integrity Initiative): Addah echoed concerns about ORAL’s legality, arguing that established institutions like EOCO, OSP, and CHRAJ should handle corruption cases. She expressed skepticism about ORAL’s effectiveness, labeling it a superficial attempt to appease public sentiment.
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Reactions and Recommendations
Critics like Assafuah and Addah advocate for a more institutional approach to corruption. They call for the empowerment of state bodies with investigative and prosecutorial powers, rather than ad hoc committees or initiatives.
Meanwhile, supporters argue that initiatives like ORAL can complement institutional efforts by providing a channel for whistleblowers and evidence gathering.
