Ghana’s anti-corruption drive under Operation Uncover All Roots (ORAL) has entered an intensive phase, with 280 alleged corruption cases currently undergoing investigations, according to the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
In an interview on JoyNews on Monday, January 26, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said ORAL was deliberately presented to Ghanaians by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a central accountability mechanism aimed at scrutinising the conduct of public officials.
He explained that shortly after assuming office, the government established an ORAL Preparatory Committee to gather information on alleged acts of corruption. The committee’s work resulted in a comprehensive report containing 280 suspected cases, which was subsequently forwarded to the Attorney General for action.
However, the minister was quick to clarify that the report itself was never intended to serve as a basis for prosecution.
“Those were allegations that required verification. You cannot rely on a report alone to deprive someone of their liberty,” he noted, stressing the need for lawful investigations.
Following the submission of the report, the Attorney General initiated individual investigations into all listed cases, a process that has already yielded tangible outcomes. Mr Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that more than 100 persons have been invited for questioning, with varying outcomes including arrests, temporary detentions, bail, and active court proceedings.
He added that over 20 of the cases are at an advanced stage, with their dockets nearly completed. Some of these cases, he said, have already been filed in court by the Attorney General.
Placing the developments in a broader political context, the minister argued that the sheer volume of alleged corruption under the previous administration left the country with little choice but to demand change.
“The waste and abuse of public resources had reached intolerable levels. Corruption scandals dominated public discourse to the point where Ghanaians felt exhausted,” he said.
While acknowledging growing public impatience for swift convictions, Mr Kwakye Ofosu urged restraint, emphasising that ORAL must operate strictly within Ghana’s legal framework.
He explained that once prosecutions begin, the courts take full control of proceedings, including scheduling and case management, leaving neither the Attorney General nor the government in charge of timelines.
“The guiding principle is justice. Guilt or innocence must be determined fairly and lawfully, and that process is already underway,” he concluded.
