Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has assured the public that the government will begin recovering funds this year through the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, as investigations into alleged financial irregularities gain momentum.
Dr Ayine said while it may not be possible to recover the entire estimated US$21 billion, steady progress is being made through close cooperation with both domestic and international partners. He noted that key state agencies, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), are supporting the investigations locally.
He also revealed that a dedicated investigations unit, which reports directly to the attorney general, has been set up to handle sensitive cases. According to him, the team comprises seasoned investigators working discreetly to trace misappropriated assets, and their efforts are already producing results. He indicated that financial recoveries will begin to materialise as cases reach advanced stages.
Using the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) as a case study, Dr Ayine disclosed that investigations carried out with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have confirmed that GH¢22 million in taxes was evaded in connection with the contract. He explained that although his office initially estimated the evasion at GH¢38.7 million, it sought verification from the GRA, which has the statutory mandate to assess tax obligations. The GRA later confirmed the GH¢22 million figure.
The Attorney-General further revealed that the company involved had admitted in writing to warehousing certain items after clearing them as tax-exempt, despite not qualifying for such exemptions. He stressed that this admission does not excuse the offense, noting that importing goods without paying the appropriate duties amounts to tax evasion.
Dr Ayine also disclosed that an alleged US$2 million overpayment linked to the DRIP contract has been identified and will be pursued in addition to the confirmed tax evasion. He rejected suggestions that the overpayment was a clerical mistake, insisting that the issue is substantive and will be thoroughly investigated.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to accountability, Dr Ayine assured Ghanaians that ongoing ORAL investigations will result in tangible financial recoveries for the state.
Meanwhile, former Auditor-General and Chair of the EOCO Board, Daniel Yao Domelevo, has urged authorities to sustain the momentum of ORAL to maintain public confidence. Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Domelevo noted that ORAL was a key policy pledge during the 2024 election and warned that public trust could wane if results are not consistently delivered.
