Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has credited the principles of Operation Recover All Rooms (ORAL), a campaign initiative championed by President John Mahama, for shaping his firm stance on asset protection and transparency within the ministry.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency, the Minister described ORAL as a “legitimate popular demand of the Ghanaian people” and a guiding principle in his leadership.
“As the former chairman of Operation Recover All Rooms, ORAL, I can confirm that its principles strongly undercut every decision I take as Minister for Foreign Affairs,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
He outlined several recent successes attributed to ORAL at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including:
Reclaiming ministry lands at Airport Residential Area which had been sold.
Aborting the illegal sale of Ghana’s diplomatic property in Lagos, Nigeria, and assisting National Security in the arrest of the prime suspect, Mr. Bright Mensah Bonsu.
“He was on a folly of his own, not a staff of the Ministry, though he managed to obtain a diplomatic passport,” the Minister revealed.
“He has been picked up, he is in the firm grips of National Security, and that $1.5 million must be returned to the owners. That property is not for sale.”
Reversing the ministry’s earlier decision to sell Ghana’s diplomatic property in Lusaka, Zambia.
Establishing an asset register to take proper inventory of all Ministry-owned properties.
Cancelling a $3.5 million renovation contract for the Abidjan Embassy awarded in November 2024, which he said “did not follow due process and was not budgeted for.”
Tackling the canker of corruption at Ghana’s mission in Washington, D.C., through systemic reforms.
Mr. Ablakwa underscored that his Ministry has adopted strict compliance with procurement laws to prevent abuse.
“To guarantee value for money, transparency, and accountability, no contract has been awarded on a single-source basis since I became Foreign Minister,” he stated.
“There is strict instruction to our procurement department to ensure that all procurement is competitive and complies with the Public Procurement Act. From the passport courier companies to ticketing services, everything is being done competitively.”
The Minister added that ORAL remains a key framework for ensuring public assets are preserved, managed prudently, and shielded from corruption.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
