There's nothing wrong with witch-hunting if the hunted are indeed witches — Manasseh to Mahama

Ghanaian investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has waded into discussions on the formation of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee, stating that there is no issue with political witch-hunting if the targets are truly guilty.

In a Facebook post on Friday, December 20, Manasseh wrote: “There’s nothing wrong with political witch-hunting if the hunted are, indeed, malevolent witches. CC: John Dramani Mahama.”

His comment follows clarifications by President-elect John Dramani Mahama regarding the actual work of ORAL, a committee set up by his team to compile evidence of alleged corruption for investigations by state agencies.

Speaking during a meeting with the Canadian High Commission in Ghana on Thursday, Mr. Mahama dismissed claims that ORAL is a political tool to target appointees of the Akufo-Addo's government.

He emphasized that the committee’s role is to collect evidence on corruption scandals and misconduct, not to investigate individuals.

“I think people are misunderstanding it. We’re receiving a lot of information on things that are going wrong, or things, I mean, corruption scandals and all that,” Mr. Mahama explained.

“We want a focal point where all evidence on corruption scandals or misconduct can be directed. ORAL is not investigating individuals but compiling evidence for government agencies tasked with such duties. I don’t think that people should think that it’s a witch-hunting committee. We have no brooms to fly at night,” he added.

The President-elect further clarified that the ORAL team operates pro bono, with no financial implications for the government.