ORAL, another hollow promise?

 

In the run-up to the 2024 general elections, the NDC and its presidential candidate, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, made a number of promises to the electorate—promises that carried significant weight and the potential to shape Ghana’s future. This, of course, is not unusual in our body politic. What stood out, however, was how deeply some of these pledges resonated with voters. For many, they even rekindled the dying flame of political participation. I must confess—it did for me as well.

I had almost lost hope in the ability of Ghanaian politicians to move beyond the usual posturing and tough talk when it comes to fighting corruption. Then came one promise that seemed to break through the noise: ORAL—Operation Recover All Loot.

For those of us who believe no real progress can be made unless corruption is tackled head-on, ORAL sounded like a breath of fresh air. It was more than just another political slogan—it carried a magnetic aura. With the sheer scale of scandals that had plagued the previous government, ORAL appeared to offer accountability, justice, and maybe even a turning point in our politics. It wasn’t the first anti-corruption initiative ever announced, but somehow, it felt like we were finally on the cusp of witnessing real action.

Unfortunately, just like many political promises before it, ORAL has not lived up to expectations yet.

In the immediate aftermath of the NDC’s landslide victory, there was encouraging momentum. A team was set up to receive corruption reports and duly submitted them to the Attorney General, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Press conferences were held, updates were given, and for a brief moment, those of us who long for justice felt hopeful.

But soon, the buzz faded. The updates stopped. Progress stalled. The enthusiasm with which ORAL began fizzled into the same old silence we’ve grown used to. Citizens started asking questions about the investigations, but not much came by way of answers. Worse still, the NDC’s General Secretary hinted at internal sabotage—alleging that some members of the ruling party were cutting deals to sweep cases under the rug.

When I heard him say that, I felt like a fool. A renewed fool. And I know I’m not alone. This sense of betrayal after elections has become a familiar cycle for many Ghanaians. If his claims hold any truth—and given the political cost of smearing his own party, they very well might—then this could be the proverbial last straw to break the camel’s back. It risks pushing even more citizens into hardened apathy, where no amount of flowery promises can ever win back their trust.

For the sake of our democracy, for the sake of our collective demand for justice, and even for the sake of the NDC’s own desire to retain power, they must not allow ORAL to become another failed promise. If they do, it will not just break faith with the people—it could break the spirit of participation in our politics altogether.

Ghanaians deserve better. And this time, we cannot afford to be fooled again.