Make declaraton of assets more open
Every four years civil society groups sound the alarm for some categories of public office holders to declare their assets.
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Nearly two months into the administration of a new government and Parliament, office holders under these bodies have been reminded not to forget their obligations to the state.
Article 286 Clause (1) states, “A person who holds a public office mentioned in Clause (5) of this article shall submit to the Auditor-General a written declaration of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by him, whether directly or indirectly –
(a) Within three months after the coming into force of this Constitution or before taking office, as the case may be;
(b) at the end of every four years, and
(c) at the end of his term of office.
A section of society has always had issue with the present regime of assets declaration where the assets so declared are kept under “lock and key” at the offices of the Auditor-General. If the exercise is meant to ensure transparency in public office, then something drastic must be done, such that members of the public will know the assets of those who represent them in government.
As presently managed, the regime is not transparent enough to give the public the opportunity to know the assets of those who seek their mandate to lead them.
There are sanctions for the refusal of the public officers to which the provisions apply who fail to file their assets declaration forms. But how many members of the public are able to determine the assets their representatives have filed to be able to challenge their claims?
It is unfortunate that red-tapeism has infected the assets declaration regime to such an extent that the exercise, which is supposed to promote accountability in public life, is shrouded in secrecy.
Although the Constitution provides that the declarations made shall, on demand, be produced in evidence:
(a) before a court of competent jurisdiction, or
(b) before a commission of inquiry appointed under article 278 of this Constitution, or
(c) before an investigator appointed by the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ),
the reality on the ground makes it difficult for the people to demand the public display of the assets.
The Constitution also demands that those who leave office should declare the status of their assets upon their exit of office. Here, again, because the issue of assets declaration is kept under “lock and key” until there is a controversy, the people do not know whether their elected representatives and other officers are complying with the law.
Going forward, the Daily Graphic thinks there must be some reforms in the administration of the assets declaration regime to offer the people the opportunity to scrutinise the assets of their leaders.
Ghanaians are very proud of their democratic credentials on the African continent because of the peace and stability we enjoy, but to sustain the gains so far made, we ought to do something about the perception of corruption among public office holders.
The Daily Graphic urges members of the public who have information that some public office holders have not filed their assets declaration forms to report to CHRAJ for the necessary steps to be taken to achieve compliance with the law.
It is our hope that the latest appeal by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) to key public office holders to declare their assets will not fall on deaf ears and that the officers will lead by example.
There is no need for a reminder to public office holders to demonstrate exemplary leadership by showing by deeds and words that they will uphold their pledge to fight corruption at all levels.
But that fight begins with the preparedness of all public officers to declare their assets, so those who desire to check can use due process to find out the assets declared and those that they own on the ground.
Example, they say, is better than precept, for which reason the Daily Graphic calls on public office holders to declare their assets as their commitment to the fight against corruption and the need to promote transparency and accountability in public office.