On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, chaos broke out at the Ministry of Finance as members of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Brigade, a youth group affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), clashed with security personnel.
The ORAL Brigade, primarily composed of NDC’s youth wing, had gathered at the Ministry to protest what they claim is severe financial mismanagement under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration. The group has been vocal in recent weeks, intensifying their demands for accountability from the government.
One of the key issues they highlighted is the unresolved $34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts deal, which they argue raises significant concerns about the procurement process and the actual use of funds meant to enhance the country’s emergency medical services.
In addition to the ambulance deal, the group also expressed concerns over the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) involvement with the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal. They are also demanding full disclosure of the expenditure related to the 2023 All-African Games.
The protest, which aimed to bring attention to these financial issues, quickly escalated into a confrontation with the police, leading to a tense situation at the Finance Ministry.