President John Dramani Mahama has taken a bold step towards transparency by publicly declaring his assets and urging his appointees to follow suit by March 31, 2025, or risk dismissal.
In an unprecedented move, Mahama submitted his asset declaration documents to Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu, marking the first time a sitting president in Ghana has made the process public. This act aligns with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holder’s Declaration of Assets and Disqualifications Act (Act 550).
Mahama emphasized that making asset declarations more transparent could be a powerful tool in the fight against corruption. He stated that while punishing corruption is crucial, preventing it through accountability measures like asset declarations is even more effective.
The Auditor-General supported calls for reforming the current asset declaration system, highlighting concerns about verifying the accuracy of declared assets. He proposed that such declarations should be made public and reviewed both at the start and end of an official’s tenure to track any discrepancies.
Mahama’s directive signals a strong stance on accountability, reinforcing his campaign pledge to tackle corruption and promote good governance.
