'Operation Recover All Loot' not a witch-hunt - President-elect Mahama 

President-Elect John Dramini Mahama has reassured that his administration's "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL) initiative is not a witch-hunt, but rather a concerted effort to tackle corruption.

ORAL, the President-Elect explained, is designed to gather evidence to aid the prosecution of corrupt officials by designated state institutions, to ensure accountability and restore public trust, and forms part of his administration's broader commitment to transparency and good governance.

“I announced the preparatory committee and I think people are misunderstanding it, but we are receiving information on things that are going wrong, a lot of corruption scandals, some send me text on my phone and others call me, so we want a focal point where all the evidence is gathered so if people have evidence, pass it on to this team,” he said. 

Mr Mahama said the ORAL Preparatory Committee, which has been set up solely to receive evidence was not going to replace established state institutions clothed with the mandate to investigate and prosecute crimes and would therefore hand over the evidence it gathers to the relevant authorities for investigation and prosecution. 

The President-elect made this clarification during a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Miriam Montrat who paid a courtesy call to congratulate him on his electoral victory at his private office in Accra today (Thursday). 

He said the team was working pro bono and would not come at any cost to the taxpayer. 

“So when we come to office ORAL is not going to be investigating people…it’s not meant to witch-hunt people,” he said. 

Investments

Mr Mahama outlined his administration's priorities, including technology and investment in the agriculture value chain with a focus on agro processing. 

"It is not enough to produce and just sell at the expense of the farmer," he said. 

To address the challenges facing the National Buffer stock, which he said was not functioning properly, Mr Mahama proposed involving the private sector to mop up excess produce.

On the mining sector, Mr Mahama stressed the need to adopt technology to reclaim mined lands.

Energy sector 

The President-elect was critical of the outgoing administration's management of the energy sector, which he said had resulted in $2.5 billion debt.

“The energy sector is another area in which the outgoing administration has mismanaged in a major way. They have kept the lights at the expense of accruing a huge debt, that debt is being audited and so far we are looking at $2.5 billion,” he said. 

Mr Mahama said the Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG) had also been mismanaged and was presently making about 32 per cent commercial and technical losses. 

"The energy sector needs surgery," he said, underscoring the urgent need for reforms.

Mr Mahama said contrary to statements from the government that the economy was doing well, the energy sector debt alone could collapse the economy. 

“They want to create an upbeat story about their economic management before they leave office but like I said, we are going to open the books and let Ghanaians know the to true situation is, because if Ghanaians understand the true situation is then they will understand some the measures we have to take to bring things back to normal,” Mr Mahama said.

He asked for the cooperation of the Canadian government with the new administration to have a successful term. 

"We have great respect and relationships with Canada because of your management," Mr Mahama said, acknowledging the strong ties between the two nations. 

He also expressed appreciation for Canadian investments in Ghana, particularly in the northern region through the CEDA initiative, as well as in the health sector.

Direct flight 

The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, for her part emphasised the need for a direct flight from Canada to Ghana, citing its potential to boost tourism, trade, and investment between the two countries.

She also highlighted security, women empowerment, food security and agriculture, and creating a conducive investment destination as areas the two countries could explore together. 

On women empowerment, Ms Montrat highlighted Canada's support for initiatives to promote gender equality and women's rights in the country and expressed admiration for the country’s first female Vice- President elect, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. 

Ms Montrat emphasised the importance of a 24/7 economy, which can help promote economic growth, create jobs, and improve living standards.

She expressed concern over the non-payment of international companies by the current government, urging the incoming administration to address this issue promptly.

“There are lots of opportunities but the environment needs to be conducive,” she said.

She also urged the President-Elect to assure foreign companies that their investments in the country would be protected as many of them are skeptical about the security of their investments.