International Anti-Corruption campaigner, Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu has lauded the government’s ‘Operations Recover All Loot’ describing the initiative as a landmark decision that will stem the growing trend of corruption in the country.

President John Dramani Mahama launched the ORAL aimed at helping to reclaim misappropriated public funds and state properties.

Mr Ahenu also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Media Foundation, an anti-corruption and media advocacy non-profit organisation told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani that the “ORAL reflects President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to reset and turn the fortunes of the nation round.

“That is a bold and realistic intervention towards the fight against corruption and strengthening governance structures and President Mahama must therefore be commended for that,” he stated, saying, “the initiative truly underscores the government to reset the country”.

Mr Ahenu called on Ghanaians to support the government in that regard, noting that the ORAL remained critical step in ensuring that public resources were utilised for the benefit of all.

“The ORAL will empower anti-corruption agencies and legal institutions to aggressively pursue and recover assets that have been unlawfully acquired,” he stated, adding “by doing so public trust and confidence in the government’s ability to manage the nation’s resources would be deepened too”.

He highlighted the relevance of the ORAL saying, “recovering public misappropriated funds and properties is not just about justice, but also about redirecting the resources to vital sectors of the economy”.

“That will further have a direct and positive impact on the lives of citizens and thereby contribute to the nation’s progressive development,” he said stressing the need for collective approach in fighting corruption, which remained the bane of socio-economic development.

“By supporting ORAL, we are taking a stand for integrity and accountability in our society,” he stated, saying he was highly optimistic that the ORAL would transform the nation’s governance landscape.

Mr Ahenu called on the government to facilitate transparency and public involvement in the process to build a future where resources were safeguarded and used for the common good of the people.