Former Auditor General of Ghana, Dominic Yao Domelevo, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for insisting that his appointees declare their assets.
He said, however, that the requirement should have been fulfilled before they were sworn into office.
Domelevo made this assertion during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, January 23, stressing the importance of asset declaration as a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
His remarks came in response to President Mahama’s directive issued on Wednesday, January 22, during the swearing-in ceremony of six new ministers.
The President asked the appointees to declare their assets as a measure to strengthen public trust and ensure adherence to ethical standards.
However, Domelevo opined that the directive, though commendable, came late in the process, relative to the strict requirement of the law. He quoted the law:
“If I were the president, thankfully I am not the president, but I would have told them, after going through vetting and all of that, go and declare your assets and liabilities before I swear you in,” Domelevo stated.
He argued that requiring asset declarations before the swearing-in ceremony would have demonstrated a stronger commitment to good governance and set a higher standard for public officials.
Domelevo also highlighted the need for a more robust approach to enforcing asset declaration laws in Ghana.
He called on government institutions, particularly the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), to ensure compliance and hold public officials accountable.
According to him, proactive enforcement of asset declaration laws would deter corruption and enhance confidence in the governance system.
The former Auditor General concluded by urging President Mahama to institutionalize a policy mandating pre-swearing-in asset declarations for future appointments.
“This simple yet powerful measure can serve as a cornerstone in Ghana’s fight against corruption and set the tone for a more accountable government,” he said.
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