ORAL a needless committee, only for personal vendetta – Afenyo-Markin
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticised the establishment of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee by the incoming administration, labelling it as a mechanism to persecute former appointees of the Akufo-Addo government.
Speaking during his closing remarks at the final meeting of the Eighth Parliament ahead of its dissolution today, Mr Afenyo-Markin condemned the committee as unconstitutional and unnecessary.
“It is on this note that I condemn, in no uncertain terms, the establishment of the so-called ORAL committee,” he stated.
The ORAL initiative by President-elect John Mahama aims to combat corruption and state capture as part of the incoming administration’s efforts to promote accountability. Following the 2024 elections, its work has drawn public attention.
Due process must prevail
Referring to an earlier statement by the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on the need for better approaches to tackling alleged corruption, Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that the Majority believed in upholding the rule of law.
“When somebody commits a crime, the due process of the law must be allowed to take effect,” he noted, warning that the ORAL committee’s actions could disrupt governance.
“If we allow this committee to continue with its so-called wild goose chase, it will disturb the governance of this country. We do not need any so-called ORAL as we have institutions of the state,” he said.
Concerns over abuse of rights
The Majority Leader expressed concerns that the committee could infringe on citizens’ rights, stating: “We do not want people to be chasing people into people’s houses, going into people’s bedrooms, thinking that their government is in office and so they should chase people for ill-gotten wealth.”
He acknowledged, however, that while Ghanaians were discontent with the ORAL committee’s work, they should support lawful state institutions to function effectively.
‘Touch One, Touch All’ mantra
Mr Afenyo-Markin revealed that the incoming Minority Caucus had adopted the mantra “Touch one, touch all” as a rallying cry against what he described as witch-hunting by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) majority.
“We are not going to allow you (NDC) to use unconstitutional means to shut us up, to frustrate and chase people into their homes. We will stand firm and collective in ensuring that we stop any injustice; let us allow the laws of the country to work,” he declared.
He also called on the incoming NDC majority to focus on fulfilling its promises to Ghanaians instead of pursuing political opponents.
“Ghana has come of age, and it is not a populist agenda that makes a nation strong. It is the due process of law that builds a strong nation,” he concluded, urging the NDC to use its limited four-year term to prioritise development over partisan pursuits.