ORAL is not a tool for witch-hunting – John Mahama

President-elect John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims that the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee is a political witch-hunting tool.

His remarks come amid concerns from some groups that the committee’s investigations will unfairly target individuals, particularly members of the outgoing administration.

During a meeting with the Canadian High Commission in Ghana on Thursday, Mr Mahama clarified that ORAL’s primary mandate is to gather evidence of alleged corruption and direct it to appropriate government institutions once his administration assumes office.

He added that the ORAL team will not be investigating people.

“I think people are misunderstanding it. We’re receiving a lot of information on things that are going wrong, or things, I mean, corruption scandals and all that.

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“We want a focal point where all evidence on corruption scandals or misconduct can be directed. ORAL is not investigating individuals but compiling evidence for government agencies tasked with such duties … I don’t think that people should think that it’s which hunting committee. We have no brooms to fly at night,” Mr Mahama stated.

He emphasised that the committee is operating pro bono, with no associated budget or financial burden, and is designed to ensure accountability and fairness.

He urged political parties and civil society organizations to collaborate in fostering transparency, stressing that the initiative aims to combat corruption, not target individuals.