UE/R – Ayine Defends ORAL, Says 34 Corruption Cases Ready as Constitutional Review Enters Implementation Phase

By – Sadat Dabo

Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has defended the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), insisting that investigations into alleged corruption under the previous administration are progressing steadily and are being conducted professionally without political persecution

Addressing residents of the Upper East Region during President John Dramani Mahama’s “Accounting to the People” citizens’ engagement meeting in Bolgatanga on Friday August 14, Dr. Ayine said all investigations into the 34 case dockets compiled from the ORAL Committee’s report had been completed, with several cases now being prepared for prosecution

He explained that President Mahama established the ORAL Committee even before assuming office to ensure accountability in line with the 1992 Constitution, which enshrines accountability as one of Ghana’s fundamental democratic values

According to the Attorney General, government has adopted a meticulous approach by combining investigations from state agencies with forensic audits to ensure cases are evidence-based and cannot be dismissed as politically motivated. He cited the forensic audit of the National Cathedral project as an example of the government’s commitment to thorough investigations

Dr. Ayine dismissed claims by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that ORAL prosecutions were moving slowly, arguing that the current cases are progressing faster than many corruption cases prosecuted under previous governments

He noted that the prosecution had already closed its case in the Sky Train trial, while proceedings in the National Signals Bureau case were nearing completion

He maintained that documentary evidence presented before the courts in the Sky Train trial demonstrates how public funds were allegedly diverted into private accounts, describing the prosecutions as strong while stressing that he would not prejudice matters currently before the courts

The Attorney General also clarified that ORAL extends beyond the original 34 cases, revealing that ongoing investigations into the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government, formerly chaired by Miracle Aboagye, also form part of the anti-corruption exercise

On constitutional reforms, Dr. Ayine announced that government is moving into the implementation stage of its constitutional review process

He said the Constitutional Review Committee, established by President Mahama in January 2025, completed nationwide consultations before submitting its final report in February 2026

Following Cabinet’s review, government published its official position paper in July 2026 and is now preparing to inaugurate a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to oversee the next phase

Dr. Ayine explained that amendments affecting non-entrenched constitutional provisions would be introduced in Parliament through the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 1, 2026, after the mandatory three-month gazetting period, with Parliament expected to consider the bill by March 2027

He added that amendments to entrenched provisions would require a national referendum, where at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate and 75 percent of valid votes cast must support the proposed changes before Parliament can formally enact them

He concluded by assuring Ghanaians that both the ORAL initiative and the constitutional review process remain on course, emphasizing that President Mahama has consistently directed that investigations and prosecutions be conducted fairly, professionally, and without targeting political opponents

Source – gbcuraonline.com