The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament has raised serious concerns about President John Dramani Mahama’s establishment of the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee, accusing him of creating a dangerous precedent that threatens Ghana’s democratic institutions and undermines the rule of law.
The ORAL Committee, tasked with recovering alleged stolen assets from the previous administration, was established before President Mahama officially assumed office, a move the NPP argues is both unconstitutional and illegal.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, January 9, 2025, Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, described the committee as an overreach of presidential powers, asserting that its creation violates the Presidential Transition Act, 2012.
“The creation of the ORAL Committee before President Mahama even took the oath of office shows a complete disregard for the law. The President has no legal authority to establish such a body at this stage, and doing so signals a troubling precedent that undermines the rule of law,” Appiagyei said.
Concerns over legality and overreach
The Minority contends that the ORAL Committee, endowed with prosecutorial and investigative powers, operates outside the constitutional framework governing peaceful transitions of power. They warn that its existence threatens to destabilize the country’s democratic institutions.
The Minority further alleged that the committee’s rhetoric has emboldened supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to engage in lawless behavior, escalating tensions nationwide.
According to the Caucus, the establishment of the ORAL Committee has sparked a wave of violence and intimidation by NDC supporters, who have stormed public institutions and taken over state facilities in several regions.
Patricia Appiagyei cited specific incidents in Tema, Koforidua, and other areas, where NDC supporters allegedly seized government offices, demanded the removal of non-NDC workers, and targeted judicial officers.
“In Tema, we have seen attempts to take over the Tema Port and demands for the removal of non-NDC workers. In Koforidua, the offices of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) manager and other agencies have been locked up by NDC supporters,” Appiagyei lamented.
She further alleged that key institutions such as the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) have been forcibly taken over, actions she condemned as unconstitutional.
“Even private homes of civil servants suspected of being affiliated with the previous government have not been spared. From Cantonments to Roman Ridge, these hooligans have ransacked residences, stolen personal property, and destroyed decades of hard work and family stability. These acts of violence are not only unlawful but deeply inhumane. Public officials and their families should not live in fear simply for doing their jobs. No democracy can thrive if public servants are subjected to such intimidation,” she said.
Call for action
The NPP has called on President Mahama to disband the ORAL Committee immediately and take swift action to restore order. They emphasized the need for evidence-based governance, insisting that allegations of corruption against the previous administration must be handled within the confines of the law.
“Ghana is a constitutional democracy, not a revolutionary state,” Appiagyei stressed. “The President must respect the democratic principles that define our nation and bring an end to these unlawful actions.”
The Minority’s statement adds to the growing scrutiny of President Mahama’s early actions in office, with many watching closely to see how his administration addresses these concerns.
