Dr Herzuah charges gov't to prove ORAL is not political witch hunt

By Bright Philip Donkor

A political and media communications expert and lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Dr. Paul Herzuah, has called for clarity and fairness in the work of government’s Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) committee. In an interview with the Daily Statesman, he emphasised that the government must explicitly define the time frame, boundaries and investigative scope of ORAL to ensure that it did not become a tool for political entrapment and witch hunt.

He cautioned that any anti-corruption initiative perceived as a partisan weapon rather than a genuine accountability effort could risk deepening national divisions and undermining democratic integrity. For ORAL to gain public trust, he stressed, it must be guided by principles of transparency, impartiality, and institutional credibility. He reiterated that transparency must be non-negotiable to make the country’s anti-corruption efforts to yield successful results.

Widen scope

Dr. Herzuah further argued that the legitimacy of ORAL depended on its ability to look beyond the past eight years of governance. He maintained that limiting investigations to a single political cycle would erode confidence in the initiative, reinforcing suspicions of selective justice.

For an anti-corruption drive to be taken seriously, he noted, it must be comprehensive, addressing systemic issues rather than focusing on specific administrations. In his view, broadening its scope, ORAL could establish itself as a credible instrument of justice rather than a political gambit.

“On principle, I am against anyone who unduly takes resources, whether in monetary form or actual assets. When state resources are misappropriated and not recovered, it affects national development. So, the idea of retrieving or recovering them is commendable. However, I believe the process should be refined and carried out in a legal and transparent manner. You cannot accuse someone of wrongdoing unless there is concrete evidence. It is a good initiative, but certain issues need to be clarified to ensure fairness,” he stressed.

He questioned whether the government’s investigation would target only the last eight years or extend further to ensure impartiality. “Are they trying to recover resources misappropriated only in the last eight years, or will they go beyond that? I believe they should extend the probe to ensure fairness,” he stated.

Dr. Herzuah acknowledged arguments that previous administrations should have prosecuted offenders, but he insisted that this should not justify restricting ORAL’s mandate to a single political cycle. “If the investigation is limited to just the last eight years, it could be perceived as a witch hunt,” he cautioned.

“Secondly, the process should be transparent. The identities of those providing information should be scrutinized to ensure credibility. If people can simply send emails or make anonymous calls to implicate others, it raises concerns about the authenticity of the allegations. Due diligence must be exercised to avoid wrongful accusations and prolonged legal battles,” Dr. Herzuah stated.

Modus operandi?

The political communications expert noted concerns about the credibility of ORAL committee’s modus operandi, citing how the committee, on Monday, February 10, submitted its report to President Mahama, detailing complaints of suspected corruption and claiming to have received over 2,000 reports via emails, messages, and toll-free calls.

“But who is making these calls, sending those messages and emails? How do we verify the authenticity of these claims? If someone’s identity is being protected, it must be balanced with fairness to the accused. Transparency is key—Ghanaians should know how evidence is gathered and assessed. If due diligence is not followed, ORAL could face legal challenges, leading to prolonged court battles that may stall the process,” he indicated.

Dr. Herzuah urged the government to communicate effectively with the public, stressing the need for periodic public engagements or national addresses to educate Ghanaians on the process. According to him, “the initiative should not be overhyped; we need realistic expectations”. He further added: “The government aims to retrieve about $20 billion, which is ambitious. While some cases may yield results, not all funds will be recovered due to legal complexities”.

Legal complexities

Dr. Herzuah emphasised that legal battles would pose a significant challenge, as accused individuals would seek legal representation, potentially prolonging cases for years. “Given the slow pace of justice and the fact that some cases from past governments remain unresolved, the process is unlikely to be swift,” he added. He also cautioned that the government must manage public expectations carefully, as retrieving funds would take time.

“Moreover, ORAL should not become a tool for political witch hunts. If suspects are coerced, intimidated or forced to confess in exchange for reduced sentences, the credibility of the initiative will be compromised. The process should be fair, legal, and transparent. If there is solid evidence against individuals, they should face the law, and any recovered resources should be used for national development,” he noted.

He stressed the importance of transparency, warning that “if the process is shrouded in secrecy or appears politically motivated, it will lose credibility”. He indicated that the public must be assured that ORAL was not targeting individuals based on political affiliations but was genuinely committed to recovering stolen state assets. He emphasised that the law must take its course without bias, as any form of intimidation or coercion would undermine the integrity of the initiative.

“A fair and impartial approach is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring the success of the effort. ORAL must be refined to ensure fairness, legal backing, and transparency. If executed properly, it could set a precedent for future governments to deter corruption,” he added. He, however, noted that, if it turns into a politically motivated exercise, it would only create division and legal battles rather than achieving its intended purpose.