The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has introduced sweeping reforms to safeguard state assets and strengthen transparency, in line with principles of the defunct Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the measures during his presentation at the Government Accountability Series held at the Presidency in Accra.
Asset Protection and Recovery
Among the key successes, Mr. Ablakwa highlighted the recovery of lands at the Airport Residential Area that had been sold, halting the illegal sale of Ghana’s diplomatic property in Lagos, Nigeria, and reversing an earlier decision to dispose of Ghana’s mission property in Lusaka, Zambia.
An asset register has now been established to ensure proper inventory and oversight of all ministry-owned properties, he said.
Procurement Overhaul
Mr. Ablakwa underscored that since assuming office, his ministry has pursued a strict competitive procurement regime.
“No contract has been awarded on a single-source basis under my leadership. From passport courier services to embassy renovation works, every contract has gone through a transparent, competitive process in full compliance with the Public Procurement Act,” he explained.
He added that a controversial $3.5 million renovation contract at Ghana’s Embassy in Abidjan, awarded in November 2024 without due process, was cancelled to protect public funds.
Tackling Corruption Abroad
The Foreign Affairs Minister also disclosed ongoing efforts to tackle corruption in Ghana’s Washington DC mission, where systemic overhauls are underway.
International Support
Beyond domestic reforms, Ghana is forging new partnerships to strengthen anti-corruption capacity. Mr. Ablakwa revealed that during President Mahama’s recent state visit to Singapore, a bilateral agreement was reached to support ORAL’s vision. The pact will see Singapore provide technical assistance in forensic investigations to agencies such as EOCO, CHRAJ, the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and the Police CID.
“ORAL enjoys overwhelming international support, and our ministry is actively facilitating these collaborations to build stronger, corruption-resistant institutions,” he noted.
