Recently, a report by the Auditor-General (A-G) revealed that Rans Logistics, a company providing travel agency services, had been overpaid after being awarded a government contract under the Akufo-Addo administration.

The company was tasked by the then government to transport large consignments of rice and maize across the country under a grain distribution contract. The A-G report uncovered overpayments and discrepancies between delivered quantities and invoiced quantities.However, while engaging the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, March 30, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem confirmed that Rans Logistics has returned the excess funds, GH₵19.1 million to the state.

“I just want to give one example to show the importance of the audit to us as a nation. Exactly a week after, on 17 March, one of the companies identified with some of the infractions responded.Rans Logistics was the company stated to have been overpaid for the transportation of grains. Exactly a week after the presentation, the company has refunded GH¢19.1 million to the state,” he told the committee.As part of the revelations, the company failed to account for over 7,000 metric tonnes of rice paid for by the previous government. Nonetheless, the Deputy Finance Minister has assured that steps are being taken to ensure reimbursement.

“We are expecting the value of these 7000 metric tonnes of rice to be reimbursed as well. The Attorney General is working with his team to recommend the right course of action for all identified infractions. This example shows the importance of the audit. It was intended to protect state resources, and it is already beginning to achieve its purpose,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government is set to receive more cash in its coffers as President Mahama’s flagship anti‑corruption initiative Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) pursue it’s asset and cash recovery efforts.

This was announced by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, during an appearance on JoyNews Newsfile on Saturday, January 10. Dr Ayine revealed that preliminary checks have already been done on the amount of money that can realistically be recovered within the year.

He said, “We have developed estimates of what is capable of being collected. Very soon, this year, I am sure things will start flowing into the government's coffers. Money will start flowing into the government chest with respect to ORAL.”

While he anticipates the cash and assets, he is unable to state mathematically whether the amount expected to be recovered in full under the ORAL initiative. GH¢21 billion is projected to be recovered under the anti-corruption drive.

However, the Attorney-General cautioned that he could not state with absolute certainty whether the government would recover the full GH¢21 billion projected under the initiative.

“The question of whether we will be able to get exactly the 21 billion projected is one that I cannot answer with mathematical certainty at this point,” he added.

President Mahama officially launched ORAL on December 18, 2024, barely two-weeks after he won the 2024 elections. Ghanaians have received the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative with a mix of optimism and scepticism. While many welcomed it as a bold anti‑corruption drive to reclaim billions in stolen assets, others criticised it as politicised, slow, and more of a performance than a genuine legal process.However, Dr Ayine clarified that his outfit, in collaboration with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) are working both locally and internationally to track and recover misappropriated state funds.

He noted that, very soon, their coordinated efforts would produce tangible results and the anticipated results Ghanaians want to see, and in turn draw some money into state coffers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to accountability and the protection of public resources.

“Extensive work is currently underway, both locally and internationally, to track and recover misappropriated state funds. On the local front, my office is working closely with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB). In addition, there is a special clandestine investigations team that reports directly to me. I am confident that the coordinated efforts of local agencies and foreign partners will soon translate into tangible financial recoveries for the state, reinforcing our commitment to accountability and the protection of public resources.”

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama in June last year, stated that in due course, 33 former government appointees have been implicated in corruption-related cases in the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Team report will face prosecution.

President Mahama, while addressing the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, 3 June, noted that the Attorney General (A-G), Dr Dominic Ayine, is preparing the cases for judicial proceedings.

“We set up the ORAL Committee, and they have identified 33 cases, which were handed over to the Attorney General. We have created special investigative teams to investigate each of them,” he said.

“Some of them have found a lot of evidence of the procurement of properties with illicit wealth. With many of them, they are just at the point of beginning prosecution. Some have also started the prosecution, and others are being lined up.”

Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)is an initiative set up by the president to gather information on corruption to the appropriate government institutions for further investigation.

The committee is chaired by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who also serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu.

The other members include former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, retired Police Commissioner Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, legal practitioner Martin Kpebu, and investigative journalist Raymond Archer — all renowned for their integrity and strong stance against corruption.Currently, the hundreds of issues presented by the ORAL team to President John Mahama are being investigated by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine.

Additionally, its work has increased public awareness about the importance of protecting state resources.

The committee's report has revealed that approximately $21.19 billion in potential recoveries are from misappropriated state assets and undervalued land transactions.

ORAL Chairman Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has indicated that "If we are successful in recoveries, we can retrieve as much as 20.49 billion United States dollars."

Among the key cases cited were the National Cathedral project, the Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal, and the Saltpond decommissioning project.

Meanwhile, President Mahama has dismissed allegations that ORAL is being used for political vendettas, reassuring that the initiative is purely intended to strengthen Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.