President John Dramani Mahama has publicly declared his assets, emphasizing that the move is aimed at fostering transparency and accountability in Ghana’s governance system.

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In line with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, President Mahama submitted a full disclosure of his assets to the Auditor General, a step he believes will strengthen public confidence in the asset declaration process.

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Speaking to the media after fulfilling his constitutional obligation, Mahama highlighted the importance of ensuring openness in asset declaration, stating, “I have just performed a simple but briefly, very important act of presenting my complete assets declaration forms to the Auditor General as required by Article 286 of the 1992 constitution and the Public Office Holders Declaration of Assets and Disqualification Act 1998, Act 550.”

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Ghana’s constitution mandates several categories of public office holders, including the President, Vice President, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Justices of the Superior Courts, and heads of key government institutions, to declare their assets upon assuming office, every four years, and at the end of their tenure.

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Mahama noted that while he had previously declared his assets privately, he opted for a public disclosure this time to promote openness in governance. He lamented that Ghana’s asset declaration regime has often lacked transparency, making it difficult to measure compliance.

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“In times past, I would have privately presented these forms to the Auditor General in fulfilment of my statutory obligation. I have taken this step of presenting these forms publicly as a way of injecting some openness and transparency into the process of assets declaration. I have always maintained that while it is all well and good to punish corruption, a more effective way of addressing the canker is preventing it from occurring in the first place,” Mahama stated.

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The President further stressed that a well-structured and effectively enforced asset declaration system could serve as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption. “If properly curated and enforced, the asset declaration process can become a sustainable tool for tackling corruption,” he added.

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In a related development, former Auditor General Daniel Domelevo has urged President Mahama to extend the same level of transparency to his appointees by ensuring they declare their assets before assuming office.

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Domelevo also called for stronger enforcement of asset declaration laws, urging institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to take proactive measures in ensuring compliance. He believes rigorous enforcement will deter corruption and enhance public trust in governance.

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“The time for political rhetoric is over; Ghanaians need action now,” Domelevo emphasized, adding that without strict adherence to asset declaration regulations, the fight against corruption would remain a challenge.

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Asset declaration applies to a wide range of public officials, including presidential staffers, security officers, procurement officers, financial controllers, and heads of state institutions. The law requires them to disclose their assets and liabilities, ensuring accountability in public service.

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