The National Democratic Congress (NDC) much publicized anti-corruption agenda dubbed Operation Recover All the Loot (ORAL) is unnecessary and has no legal backing, outgoing Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has observed.
The Member of Parliament for Effutu who was delivering his closing remarks ahead of the dissolution of the 8th Parliament said it was important for the country to uphold due process at all times.
ORAL, was a campaign pledge by President-elect John Dramani Mahama to recover assets and funds misappropriated by officials in the Akufo-Addo administration.
Upon his election last year, he constituted a five-member committee to kickstart the ORAL process.
The members announced in December were Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a former Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo; a retired Commissioner of Police, COP (Rtd.) Nathaniel Kofi Boakye; legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu and Raymond Archer who is an investigative journalist.
Speaking on the establishment of the anti corruption committee, Leader Afenyo-Markin said the ORAL was not going to guarantee the strength of nation in dealing with corruption-related activities.
“Mr. Speaker, Ghana has come of age and I expect my friends in the NDC to know that it is not a populist agenda that makes a nation strong. It is due process of law that makes a nation strong.
“I regret that members of this hallowed chamber are advocates of this illegal, unconstitutional so-called body called ORAL,” he said on the floor of Parliament.
He revealed that his outnumbered side in the 9th Parliament was going to abide by the mantra ‘Touch One, Touch All’.
“We are not going to allow you to use unconstitutional means to shut us up, to chase people, to frustrate people into their homes. We will stand firm and collective in ensuring that we stop any injustice,” he emphasized.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin averred that it was important for the nation’s laws to be allowed to work.
