Rashid Tanko Computer, Deputy Director of IT and Elections of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), has said the Aksa Energy controversy will be scrutinised under the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative.

Mr Tanko Computer believes the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was the biggest beneficiary of the Aksa deal, despite the agreement having been signed under President John Mahama’s first administration.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day, he said Aksa Energy began operating in Ghana in 2017, when the NPP government took office, and questioned why the agreement was not cancelled if it was considered a bad deal.

“The major beneficiaries of the Aksa [deal] is the NPP, and we must say it as it is,” he said.

He said the company benefited significantly under the NPP administration, citing its GH¢2.5 million contribution to Ghana’s COVID-19 response in 2020 and alleging that Aksa also “hugely” funded the foundation of former First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

Mr Tanko Computer said the NDC was serious about investigating the matter through ORAL.

“ORAL is in action. We are dealing with them, one after the other. I can even read to you court cases people are going to face today and even on vacation,” he emphasised.

He expressed confidence that Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, would pursue persons implicated in the controversy, although he said the NPP would likely describe any prosecution as “witch-hunting”.

“Meanwhile, they had all the evidence on the table yet they refused [to prosecute] and now we are going to resurrect it,” he said.

Mr Tanko Computer also expressed confidence in Ghana’s judicial system and rejected suggestions that the process should not be trusted.

“I have belief and trust in our judicial system, and anyone who says otherwise is doing so because they feel that [for] what they did, ORAL is coming after them and they are not happy with it.”