Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, has stated that he is certain the Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, would likely decline any future offer to chair the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee due to the controversy surrounding the initiative.
According to Abu Jinapor, the ORAL programme has created more problems for Ablakwa, particularly because of his alleged refusal to hear the perspectives of individuals accused of acquiring state properties.
“…And I’m not getting into the mind or head of my friend, but I can be almost certain that if he were offered the opportunity to chair the ORAL Committee again, he would decline. He would decline, Mr. Speaker, because the ORAL Committee has brought the Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa more problems than good, and indeed, I think more problems will come,” he noted.
He continued, “Mr. Speaker, it has brought him more problems because of fundamental principles. Let me underscore one very important principle: the principle of hearing the other side, listening to the other side, giving the other side a hearing.”
To support his argument, Abu Jinapor referenced the Books of Genesis and Corinthians, highlighting how God gave Adam a hearing before punishing him for his sin.
He emphasised that Ablakwa has created the impression that certain individuals are guilty without granting them a fair hearing, which, in his view, is the main issue Ghanaians have with the ORAL Committee.
“The Majority Leader, I think, two or three days ago, underscored the same point—that he never condemns a man until he hears the man. Mr. Speaker, let me refer the Chairman of the ORAL Committee to the Book of Genesis, chapter 3, verse 9 onwards, where God Himself, the Almighty and all-knowing God, before condemning Adam, before punishing Adam, gave Adam the right to be heard,” he explained.
He added, “God posed a question to Adam, and indeed, Mr. Speaker, it was only after Adam put up a spirited defense, and God conducted an elaborate trial and gave him a hearing; what lawyers call the audi alteram partem rule, a principle of natural justice that God punished and condemned Adam.”
Abu Jinapor reiterated that Ablakwa’s main challenge is the perception that he has judged individuals guilty without affording them the opportunity to defend themselves.
“Mr. Speaker, that is the fundamental problem the Ghanaian people have with the ORAL Committee,” he stressed.
Quoting from the Book of Corinthians, he added, “I refer my friend and brother, the Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, to 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 2, which states, ‘Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls.'”
Concluding his remarks, Abu Jinapor asserted that Ablakwa now finds himself struggling to navigate the complexities of the controversy surrounding the ORAL Committee.
“And when I conclude, Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying that the Chairman of the ORAL Committee, Mr. ORAL himself, is now struggling to wiggle his way and navigate through the web. Thank you,” Abu Jinapor said.
Watch Abu Jinapor’s submission below:
VKB/MA