Auditor-General Vows to Scrutinize Public Officials' Asset Declarations

Accra, Ghana - 18 Feb, 2025 - Ghana's Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu, has assured the public that his office will conduct a thorough review of assets declarations submitted by public officials, including President John Dramani Mahama, who recently declared his assets at the Jubilee House in Accra.

President Mahama's declaration, a requirement under Ghana's Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, provides a detailed account of his financial holdings, properties, and other assets.

The President emphasized the importance of transparency in rebuilding public trust, warning government appointees that failure to declare their assets by the end of the first quarter of 2025 will result in severe sanctions and possible dismissals.

Akuamoah-Asiedu explained that his office will scrutinize the declarations for completeness and accuracy, verifying the information provided on assets, liabilities, and financial interests

He highlighted the challenges in verifying the information provided, such as the number of bank accounts or properties declared, and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.

“We receive your form just like His Excellency has done…we are going to open it to see exactly what entries you have made,” he explained.

“When we are looking at it, what we are looking at is whether you have not left any blank spaces, whether you have not left your bank balances. Some may list all the banks that they have, but there’ll be no balances at it, and we will call you to come and redo it,” he stated.

“If you say you have 10 bank accounts and you bring it to us, how are we to be sure that indeed it is only 10 bank accounts that you have? If you say you have two buildings, what can we do to ensure that it is exactly the two buildings that you have?” he questioned.

The Auditor-General expressed support for publishing the assets declarations, both when officials submit them and when they leave office, to ensure transparency and accountability. This move is seen as a step towards promoting good governance and combating corruption in Ghana.

Reviewing the constitution as His Excellency has said, I think it’s a very, very important issue that we have to take seriously, and we also support the publishing.

“If you submit your assets and declaration forms, you should be able to publish it freely. And the time that you are leaving office too, we’ll publish it to see the changes that have happened ever since you started,” he added.

Source: Lead News Online