Cape Coast North MP defends Operation Recover All Loot, dismisses witch-hunt claims

The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku, popularly known as Ragga, has weighed in on the recent invitations by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the implementation of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) under President Mahama's government.

Speaking on the Angel Morning Show on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Dr. Nyarku lauded the initiative, emphasizing that "any president who has the penchant to recover looted assets back to the state is a good person."

He highlighted the government's commitment to tackling corruption, stressing that President Mahama’s efforts "to curb rot are unparalleled and need commendation." He added, "He has done well with ORAL, and all those who looted state assets; we need to support the president to recover those assets."

Restoring Public Trust in Politics

Dr. Nyarku acknowledged that public trust in politicians has significantly declined. He believes that the government's current anti-corruption measures, if successful, could help rebuild confidence in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and future administrations.

Addressing concerns that ORAL could be a tool for political witch-hunting, he dismissed such claims, stating that the initiative targets actual cases of state asset looting.

"I think this is the first phase of trying to recover looted state assets. I'm sure that when that is completed, there will be another phase to ascertain if similar things happened, and then they will be recovered for the state. I don't think it has anything to do with witch-hunting," he asserted.

He further clarified that merely being invited for questioning does not imply guilt. According to him, "this should set people's hearts at ease, that when investigations are done and no one is found culpable, the person would go unpunished."

Why the NDC Government Is Cautious About Prosecutions

When asked why the government has refrained from pursuing high-profile political prosecutions, Dr. Nyarku explained that litigation is costly, and prosecuting cases without substantial evidence would be a waste of state resources.

"The government spends a lot of money prosecuting cases; where there is no substantial evidence against anyone, why would the government continue to waste money in that regard?" he rhetorically questioned.

He also compared President Mahama’s approach to handling allegations against government officials with that of the previous administration. He pointed out that Mahama has refrained from publicly absolving officials of wrongdoing, unlike his predecessor.

"This isn't John Mahama who is clearing people; it's the Attorney General who is clearing people," he remarked.

Contrasting this with the previous administration, he noted, "President Akufo-Addo was heard in the media clearing his appointees of wrongdoing. Let's establish the fact that he came out to make such public statements, but President Mahama hasn't made any public statements on prosecutions; that is the difference between the two leaders."

Dr. Nyarku’s remarks reinforce the NDC’s stance that ORAL is a necessary intervention to recover state assets and restore accountability without engaging in political persecution.