Former Auditor-General and member of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) task force, Daniel Yao Domelevo, has called for a renewed sense of urgency in the prosecution of corruption-related cases involving former government officials.
Speaking on The KSM Show on Tuesday, Mr. Domelevo cautioned that delays in bringing accused persons to justice could weaken public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption agenda.
“I am not satisfied at all,” he said. “I can’t even see the tunnel, let alone the light at the end of it. The concern is that the longer these cases drag, the greater the risk that they will be forgotten or abandoned.”
He noted that, nine months into President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, none of the cases identified by the ORAL team had reached trial, despite the extensive investigative groundwork already completed.
Mr. Domelevo further warned that the current pace could embolden individuals implicated in corruption to rely on political transitions for protection.
“The prayer of the culprits and their lawyers is that there should be a change in government so a new one can enter a nolle prosequi, and our money is gone,” he remarked.
The ORAL initiative, launched in December 2024 under the leadership of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was designed to encourage public participation in uncovering corruption and help recover stolen state assets without cost to the taxpayer.
By mid-2025, the Attorney-General’s office had reportedly prepared 33 cases based on ORAL’s findings. However, progress since then has been slow, prompting growing public concern.
Mr. Domelevo acknowledged the Attorney-General’s procedural caution but stressed that excessive delays undermine the deterrent effect of anti-corruption efforts.
“Nine months is not a short time. Before we know it, the administration’s term could end with little to show in terms of results. We need to quicken the pace,” he urged.
Analysts say the call by Mr. Domelevo reflects broader public sentiment for stronger accountability and judicial efficiency in addressing corruption, which remains one of Ghana’s most persistent governance challenges.
