A protest by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Brigade, a youth group affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), turned chaotic at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, September 4. The group, comprised mainly of NDC youth, gathered to protest alleged financial mismanagement under the current government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The protesters presented a petition, led by Bawku Central Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga, highlighting concerns over several transactions that they believe demonstrate significant financial mismanagement. The controversial $34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts deal, which remains unresolved, was a major point of contention. The deal, intended to enhance the country’s emergency medical services, instead raised serious questions about the propriety of the procurement process and the actual utilization of the funds involved.
The group also expressed concern about the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) involvement with the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal, and demanded full disclosure of the expenditure for the 2023 All-African Games. The protesters aim to bring attention to what they see as a pattern of financial mismanagement under the current government, and to demand accountability from authorities.
The chaotic scene at the Finance Ministry highlighted the growing tensions between the government and the opposition NDC, as well as the increasing demand for transparency and accountability from civil society groups.