President John Dramani Mahama has publicly declared his assets and presented them to the Auditor General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu. This complies with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holder’s Declaration of Assets and Disqualifications Act, 1998 (Act 550). 

This move marks a shift from the usual private submissions, as Mahama aims to promote transparency in the asset declaration process. President Mahama emphasized that corruption thrives in secrecy and stressed the need for preventive measures rather than solely focusing on punishment. “ I’ve 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. 

I honestly believe that if properly curated and enforced, the asset declaration process can become a sustainable tool for tackling corruption. Corruption by nature is insidious and thrives under the cover of darkness. The more light that is shown on it, the more likely that it will be fought successfully. In times past, I would privately have presented these forms to the Auditor General in fulfillment of my statutory obligation. I’ve taken this step of presenting these forms publicly as a way of injecting some openness and transparency into the process of assets declaration.” 

Mahama further called for the enforcement of asset declaration laws to make them a sustainable tool in fighting corruption. To reinforce this commitment, he directed the Chief of Staff to ensure that all appointees declare their assets by March 31, 2025, warning that failure to comply would result in severe sanctions. “I’ve taken this step to send an unmistakable signal to all public office holders, especially those that I have appointed, that I take the declaration of assets very seriously and expect full compliance from them.”

“I’ve asked the Chief of Staff to send word to all appointees to ensure that they declare their assets by the end of the first quarter of this year, that is, by 31st March 2025. I wish to stress that any appointee failing to meet this deadline would face severe sanctions, not excluding removal from office.”

Mahama also urged the ongoing constitutional review process to strengthen asset declaration laws, suggesting that declared assets should be published before and after holding public office. He believes this will help curb the phenomenon of unexplained wealth gained through corrupt means.“I believe that we must move to a regime where the assets so declared can be published before and after public office, so that the phenomenon of unexplained and overnight wealth, obviously earned through the proceeds of corruption, can be checked. I trust that a healthy debate can be had over this issue and consensus built on the way forward so that collectively we can defeat the wholesome canker of corruption.”

Following Mahama’s address, Auditor General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu welcomed the initiative and emphasized the need for improvements in the process. 

Asiedu supported the proposal to publish asset declarations upon submission and at the end of a public official’s tenure. He stressed that a more transparent system would enhance accountability and build public trust in governance.

“If you submit your assets and declaration forms, we should be able to publish it freely. And the time that you are leaving office too, we will publish it to see the changes that have happened ever since you started in the office. So on behalf of myself and my staff from the study service, we welcome his excellency’s wonderful idea.”

He assured that the Audit Service is committed to supporting any reforms that will make asset declaration more effective in combating corruption.