Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, commonly referred to as Kwaku Azar, says President John Dramani Mahama does not need a law to set up a committee such as Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).
His post comes amidst concerns that ORAL illegitimate. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin made this remark once again yesterday, January 13, 2025 during the vetting of Attorney General and Minister of Justice-designate, Dr. Dominic Ayine.
Kwaku Azar pointed out the fact that the ORAL committee has been set up to receive complaints of corruption, waste “or stolen public properties because the Constitution and existing legal frameworks grant the President broad executive powers to create advisory or investigative committees,” which goes to sale ORAL is a legitimate body.
He cited various portions of the constitution, including “Article 58 (1) and (2) of the 1992 Constitution vests executive authority of Ghana in the President. This authority includes implementing policies, managing public administration, and ensuring the execution of laws. Setting up a committee to receive complaints aligns with the President’s mandate to oversee the proper administration of the country.
The President can act within this authority without the need for additional legislation, provided the committee’s activities do not conflict with existing laws or usurp powers reserved for other constitutional bodies.
Likening the function of ORAL to CCTV cameras, he wrote, “Just as we use CCTV to monitor crimes, we need similar measures to monitor corruption. ORAL serves as a “CCTV for Corruption” (CCCTV).”
He boldly endorsed ORAL and all initiatives aimed at holding looters accountable in the country.
Read full statement below:
