Flagbearer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to resolve unfulfilled financial commitments made by the government to investors in his next administration.
John Mahama, while acknowledging the adverse impact of unfulfilled commitments on investor confidence, reaffirmed his commitment to protect the sanctity of contracts.
Speaking at the Foreign Direct Investment series in Accra, John Mahama underscored the need to champion policies aimed at transforming Ghana’s economy.
“A new NDC government shall respect the sanctity of contracts, and I am sure many of you are waiting to hear this, properly executed [contracts] that deliver value to the people of Ghana and to the investor.
“Several investors have complained about the lack of commitment on the part of the government to honour outstanding financial commitments in respect of goods and services that have been provided.
“I have taken notice of this important issue and I want to assure all those in that situation currently that we will take an inventory of all that and our government shall urgently work to resolve all these payment issues through a system that will be transparent and timely, just as happened when I was president.”
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Meanwhile, a group of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Wing members, under the banner of the Operation Recover All Loot Brigade (ORAL), has announced plans to stage a demonstration at the Finance Ministry on September 4, 2024. The group is demanding accountability and the recovery of funds allegedly misappropriated in questionable transactions.
ORAL has highlighted several examples of what they describe as opaque deals, including the US$34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts contract, the GRA-SML deal, and expenditures related to the All-African Games.
They are particularly concerned about the government’s handling of the national ambulance deal, alleging a lack of transparency and potential cost inflation. The group is calling for a thorough investigation into these transactions to ensure that public funds were used appropriately.
ORAL’s convenor, Osman Ayariga, stated that the picketing at the Finance Ministry is part of a broader series of protests planned at various public offices to demand immediate action on financial improprieties.
Ayariga emphasised that the group’s goal is to restore public confidence in the financial management system and to reinforce the principles of integrity and transparency in managing public resources. He also warned that ORAL will continue to occupy and picket government establishments suspected of corruption until their demands are met.
“In view of the Oral objectives, we are organizing a picketing at the Ministry of Finance and subsequently at the Jubilee House and any government establishments involved or suspected to be involved in corruption or corruption-related matters to demand immediate and decisive action regarding several troubling financial improprieties that have recently come to light.”
He added, “As a result, on the 4th of September, the Oral Brigade will be assembling at the Ministry of Finance to voice our demands and ensure that our concerns are heard. Again, our purpose is to urge the Minister for Finance to take immediate action to investigate these matters thoroughly, halt any questionable payments, and recover funds where necessary.”
“We believe that this picketing is vital to restore public confidence in our financial management system, to reinforce the principle that public resources must be managed with the highest levels of integrity and transparency. This is just the first and beginning of many planned protests by the National Conscious Oral Brigade aimed at demanding accountability in public financial management.”
