Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), a prominent civic group representing civil society organizations and concerned citizens, has issued a stern warning to the government, declaring that their patience has run out amid the ongoing economic crisis.
The group expressed deep frustration over what they perceive as the government’s failure to address the deteriorating economic conditions affecting the nation.
During a press conference on Thursday, August 29, 2024, ORAL highlighted the severe impact of the crisis on ordinary Ghanaians, pointing to skyrocketing inflation, rising unemployment rates, and a rapidly depreciating currency as critical issues pushing the population to the brink.
Osman Ayariga, one of the conveners of the group, lamented that despite repeated pleas for intervention, the government’s response has been inadequate, leaving the populace to suffer the consequences. He emphasized that the group’s patience has reached its limit and warned of potential nationwide protests if the government does not take immediate and decisive action to stabilize the economy.
“It is our conviction that the least the Ministry of Finance can do, after having subjected Ghanaians to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, is to ensure prudence in the management of our scarce resources,” Ayariga stated.
“A proactive response to the above-stated demands would be appreciated by the Ghanaian people more than the apology the minister purported to offer to the many Ghanaians affected by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.”
ORAL stressed that the current economic situation, compounded by revelations of corruption and resource mismanagement, has brought the country to a breaking point. The group expressed their dismay at the daily reports of graft and inefficiency, which they believe could have been prevented with better governance.
“We have reached the zenith of our patience as Ghanaian youth as we wake up daily to the horrifying revelations of corruption and mismanagement of resources that could have been prudently invested in our present and future,” Ayariga continued.
The group called on the government to implement urgent measures to control inflation, create jobs, and restore confidence in the national currency, warning that failure to do so could lead to social unrest. ORAL also urged the government to engage with stakeholders across various sectors to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the economic crisis.
“The recent revelations of mismanagement and corruption associated with the hosting of the All-African Games signal the unwillingness of public officials to stop their appetite for corruption,” Ayariga added. “We have come to the realization that the current managers of our economy are only concerned about their livelihoods and that of their children, with little regard for the collective aspirations of the Ghanaian people.”