Member of Parliament for the Asante-Akim North constituency, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has called on the Auditor-General’s office to conduct thorough verifications of the assets declared by public officials.
According to Appiah-Kubi, simply declaring assets is not enough to combat corruption within the public sector.
During an appearance on TV3’s news analysis programme, The Key Points, Appiah-Kubi suggested that a post-office verification should be carried out between five and 10 years to ensure that public office holders are not hiding assets or misrepresenting their wealth.
He emphasized the importance of verifying declarations to confirm their accuracy, as some officials may accumulate wealth in secret and only reveal it after leaving office. Appiah-Kubi also warned against over-declaring assets in an attempt to cover up any illicit gains.
In addition to his call for thorough verifications, Appiah-Kubi encouraged public officeholders to proactively publish their assets to avoid any accusations of corruption.
He highlighted the benefits of transparency in asset declaration, stating that it helps to build trust and credibility with the public.
Appiah-Kubi revealed that he has consistently declared his assets over the years, with no significant changes since his initial declaration in 2017. He reassured the public that his assets remain unchanged and that he has nothing to hide.
The discussion on asset declaration and corruption in Ghana is a longstanding issue, with measures such as the declaration of assets and liabilities by public office holders being implemented since the 1970s.
Laws like Article 286(1) of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550) regulate the asset declaration process to combat corruption.
Act 550 provides guidelines for asset declaration, requiring public officials to disclose their assets, income, and liabilities upon assuming office and every four years thereafter.
The process aims to promote transparency and accountability among public office holders in the fight against corruption.
Overall, Appiah-Kubi’s challenge to the Auditor-General’s office and his advocacy for transparent asset declaration underscore the importance of accountability and integrity in public service.
By promoting strict verification measures and encouraging proactive disclosure, steps can be taken to combat corruption and uphold ethical standards in governance.
