By: Sarah Baafi
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has publicly declared his assets, emphasising the importance of transparency in governance.
He presented his completed asset declaration forms to the Auditor-General at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House on February 18, 2025.
In his remarks, the President highlighted that under Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders Declaration of Assets and Disqualifications Act, all public office holders, including ministers, members of parliament, and judges, are required to declare their assets.
He expressed concern that many public officials remain unaware of their obligations under this regime. To address this, he has instructed the Chief of Staff to ensure that all appointees submit their asset declarations by March 31, 2025, warning that failure to comply could result in severe sanctions, including removal from office.
President Mahama underscored that while punishing corruption is necessary, preventing it is even more crucial. He believes that a well-enforced asset declaration process can serve as a powerful tool against corruption, which thrives in secrecy.
The President also called for a review of the current asset declaration framework to enhance its effectiveness. He proposed that declared assets should be made public both before and after holding office to combat unexplained wealth and ensure accountability.
