Accra: Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his initiative to reclaim stolen State resources through the now-defunct Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee. "I can confirm that the principles of ORAL strongly undergird every decision I take as Minister for Foreign Affairs," stated Mr. Ablakwa, who previously chaired the ORAL Committee, a key element of President Mahama's campaign and a significant demand by the Ghanaian populace.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ablakwa shared these insights during his appearance at the Government Accountability Series held at the Presidency in Accra. He highlighted several achievements of ORAL at the Foreign Ministry, including reclaiming land at the Airport Residential area that had been sold and halting the illegal sale of Ghana's diplomatic property in Lagos, Nigeria. Additionally, the ministry assisted National Security in apprehending Mr. Bright Mensah Bonsu, the prime suspect who received a partial payment of $1.5 million that was not deposited into any government account.
Mr. Ablakwa also discussed reversing the decision to sell Ghana's diplomatic property in Lusaka, Zambia, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for the sale of the Ministry's properties. He announced the creation of an asset register to catalog all assets accurately. The Minister cited the cancellation of a $3.5 million Abidjan Embassy renovation contract scheduled for November 2024, which did not adhere to due process.
He detailed efforts to combat corruption at the Washington DC mission, stressing systemic overhauls and a commitment to transparency and accountability. Mr. Ablakwa confirmed that no contracts have been awarded on a sole-source basis since his appointment as Foreign Minister, with strict procurement department guidelines ensuring all processes are competitive and adhere to the Public Procurement Act.
The Minister noted that all contracts, from passport courier and ticketing companies to cleaning contracts and staff buses, have undergone a competitive and credible bidding process. Competitive procurement, he asserted, has become standard practice.
Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that ORAL enjoys substantial international support, with the Foreign Ministry facilitating collaborations with other state institutions. He emphasized continued international cooperation to support President Mahama and the Attorney-General in ensuring ORAL's success.
He highlighted a recent agreement reached during President Mahama's state visit to Singapore to bolster ORAL through a bilateral framework. This framework aims to enhance the forensic capabilities of Ghana's anti-corruption entities, including the Economic and Organized Crime Office, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the Police Criminal Investigations Department, leveraging Singapore's renowned anti-corruption expertise.
