Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has called for a more thorough process in verifying the assets and liabilities of public officials.
Mr. Domelevo emphasized the need for the Auditor-General’s office to go beyond merely making asset declarations public, arguing that physical verification must be a key component of the process.
Speaking on Joy News’ AM Show on Wednesday, February 19, he outlined the shortcomings of the current asset declaration system, stressing that simply filling out forms and submitting them does not guarantee the accuracy of the declared information.
“Beyond making it public, the Auditor-General must verify the assets. In fact, when you say I have declared something to you, I don’t think it is when I fill out a form and give it to you. It is when I see the things you are declaring,” Mr. Domelevo stated.
According to him, it is not enough for officials to claim ownership of high-value assets, such as real estate or luxury goods, without a deeper investigation.
He used the example of a six-story building, suggesting that if a public official declares such an asset, the Auditor-General’s office should physically visit the property.
“So if they say you have a house which is a six-story building, I must go and see the house and see the title and documents which show that it is your house,” he explained.
This, he said, would ensure that the building exists and that proper legal documentation, such as a title deed, is in place to confirm ownership.
Mr. Domelevo further emphasized that verifying both assets and liabilities is essential for maintaining the integrity of the public sector. He believes this additional step would significantly enhance transparency and hold officials accountable for their financial dealings.
“So physical verification of the assets and the liabilities, I think, will be very necessary,” he added.
While acknowledging that physical verification may be time-consuming, he insisted it is necessary to ensure that assets declared by public officials are legitimate and reflect their true financial standing.
His comments come after President Mahama submitted his forms and ordered his appointees to declare their assets by March or face sanctions.
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