The government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative is expected to investigate the controversial Aksa Energy deal, according to Rashid Tanko Computer, Deputy Director of IT and Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).
Speaking on TV3’s New Day, Mr Tanko Computer said the Aksa controversy would be subjected to scrutiny as part of the government’s broader anti-corruption and accountability agenda.
He argued that although the agreement was signed during the first administration of President John Dramani Mahama, the company became operational in 2017, under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, and therefore benefited significantly during that period.
“The major beneficiaries of the Aksa [deal] is the NPP, and we must say it as it is,” he said.
Mr Tanko Computer questioned why the NPP administration did not terminate the agreement if it considered the contract unfavourable.
He further alleged that Aksa Energy made substantial financial contributions during the NPP administration, including a GH¢2.5 million donation to Ghana’s COVID-19 response in 2020, and claimed that the company also provided significant support to a foundation associated with former First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
According to him, ORAL is actively pursuing investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving public officials and politically exposed persons.
“ORAL is in action. We are dealing with them, one after the other,” he said, adding that a number of court cases were expected to proceed even during the judicial vacation.
Mr Tanko Computer expressed confidence that Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine would pursue individuals implicated in the Aksa controversy through the legal process.
He acknowledged that the NPP was likely to characterise any prosecutions as politically motivated, but argued that previous authorities had failed to act despite having access to relevant information.
“Meanwhile, they had all the evidence on the table yet they refused [to prosecute] and now we are going to resurrect it,” he said.
He also defended the integrity of Ghana’s judicial system, saying he believed the courts would handle the matter fairly and independently.
“I have belief and trust in our judicial system,” he said, adding that criticism of the process was being driven by those who feared accountability under the ORAL initiative.
