ORAL could become a major scandal in Mahama’s administration – Manasseh explains

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has highlighted to President John Dramani Mahama that going after stolen wealth can be a slippery path.

He notes that the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL), set up by President John Dramani Mahama as part of his move to retrieve stolen state properties, can itself become a major scandal in his administration.

In an open letter to the president, Manasseh said “The Akufo-Addo administration attempted to recover loot, but it resulted in a scandal when the government, led by Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo, hired Kroll Associates to audit transactions. Your ORAL team and the government ought to be above board. Those who have stolen millions of dollars can easily cut deals with some of your officials and appointees. If you show signs of weakness, ORAL could become a major scandal in your administration and disarm you from embarking on serious accountability. ORAL should apply to members of your own administration.”

He further stated that this is a golden opportunity for President Mahama to make tough decisions to succeed because he will not be seeking reelection.

Manasseh recounted that one major weakness in President Mahama’s first term, from 2013 to 2016, was your inability to make tough decisions but given that he will not contest again, he should not be worried about offending his own people for making tough decisions in the interest of the country.

“You Won’t Seek Re-election: One major weakness in your first term was your inability to make tough decisions. You cannot succeed as president or a leader when you’re afraid to offend some party members.

“Thankfully, this time, you don’t have to go to them for nomination, so those who would oppose your good deeds for their selfish reasons should not be allowed to hold Ghana to ransom. You are better placed to act tough and set good examples. Don’t blow this golden opportunity, sir,” he said in an article titled “Goldmines and Landmines: Manasseh’s open letter to President Mahama”.

Manasseh further told President Mahama not to hesitate to discipline his appointees who will be involved in corruption scandals.

“Some are in to make money and retire with you because they stand no chance of being in a future NDC administration,” he said.

He further noted that others also have presidential ambitions and want to build war chests of resources to pursue their goals.

“With minds contaminated with selfish ambitions, some will soon start looting and misbehaving. Do not hesitate to crack the whip at the hint of a scandal. That’s how you will save your administration. Don’t be like the Chief Clearing Agent of yore, who used state security agencies to clear his appointees of visa racketeering only for those cleared to openly confess their involvement,” he said.

President Mahama has urged newly sworn-in ministers to serve in humility, candour, and commitment.

He said this during the swearing-in ceremony of six ministerial nominees on Wednesday, January 22, following their approval by Parliament after thorough vetting and debate.

The ministers sworn in include Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as Finance Minister, Dr. Dominic Ayine as Attorney General, John Jinapor as Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Haruna Iddrisu as Education Minister, Eric Opoku as Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Governs Kwame Agbodza as Minister for Roads and Highways.

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