Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu says the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative is already producing results, dismissing claims that the anti-corruption drive is moving too slowly.

The Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, he said investigations and prosecutions are progressing across several agencies, with dozens of cases already before the courts.

His response followed concerns raised by some critics, including individuals associated with the ORAL committee, who have questioned the pace of the process.

“You have to define what the expression means by government is not moving fast enough.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the record of work done so far demonstrates that progress is being made.

“So I’ve told you what NIB has done. The Attorney General was sworn into office sometime in February last year, and within a year, he is able to supervise a situation where 27 dockets and another 40 cases are being looked into by EOCO, have resulted in the arrest of 140 people and beyond and seized assets worth 1.5 billion Ghana cedis, with quite a number of people standing trial.”

He stressed that once cases reach the courts, the pace of proceedings is determined by the judiciary and not the government.

“When a case goes to court, not Mr Domelevo or any of the critics can determine how the judge conducts the case.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu said government cannot interfere in the judicial process to accelerate proceedings.

“It is imperative. Now, you see, when we’re in opposition, we used to accuse the NPP of manipulating the judiciary.”

“We used to say that the NPP did not allow for an independent judiciary.”

According to him, government remains committed to respecting the independence of the courts.

“It is not the submission of the individuals saying this, I would imagine that we should manipulate the judiciary to achieve certain political things that government cannot do.”

He explained that the role of government is to build strong cases, gather evidence and present them before the courts.

“What government can do is to build a case, gather sufficient evidence and then go to court to convince the court that this individual or that individual has committed this crime.”

“For which reason this punishment ought to be meted out, and where we find any assets involved, we retrieve it for the benefit of the case that has been done.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the work done so far under the ORAL initiative deserves recognition.

“And I believe that we need to acknowledge the work that has gone into it.”

He admitted that concerns about delays within Ghana’s judicial system are not new.

“Of course, are we all frustrated about the pace of work of the Ghanaian judiciary? It is a long-standing criticism against the Ghanaian judiciary.”

However, he stressed that such delays are not the executive's direct responsibility.

“But it is not something that the government bears responsibility for.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu said government is exploring alternative legal mechanisms to help speed up cases related to corruption and financial crimes.

“Government has tried to find ways around it.”

“So, for instance, the cabinet has approved the reintroduction of the tribunal system.”

He explained that the tribunal system is already provided for in the Constitution, but had previously been suspended following criticism.

“In the past, because of some happenings, it came under criticism, and it was shelved. But it is something that has been resuscitated.”

According to him, the system will soon be rolled out to deal with corruption-related cases and other complex financial crimes.

“Very soon, it will be rolled out to deal with cases of ORAL and cases involving illegal money, other cases that clog our court system.”

He insisted that government cannot dictate the speed at which judges handle cases.

“But as for the fact that government can dictate the pace of cases being handled by a court or a judge, that one is beyond its capacity.”