Former Auditor General Yaw Domelevo has criticized the six-month window granted to public officials to declare their assets, describing it as excessive and misaligned with constitutional requirements.
Speaking during an interview on Prime News on ABC News GH, Domelevo argued that such a prolonged timeline creates the possibility of asset accumulation before declaration, ultimately allowing individuals to “game the system.”
He pointed out that public officials should be required to declare their assets immediately upon assuming office, as stipulated by Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution.
“We cannot give them months. The duration is too long,” Domelevo stated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the constitutional standard and ensuring public officials are held accountable from day one.
Domelevo’s remarks follow President Mahama’s recent call for appointees to submit their assets by the end of the first quarter of 2025, warning of sanctions for those who fail to comply.
While commending the President for his efforts to encourage asset declaration, Domelevo questioned the six-month window, suggesting that it could encourage “anticipatory declaration,” where public officials delay declarations until they have had time to accumulate assets.
He stressed that the law must be clear about the consequences for non-compliance.
“Our laws do not punish people who have not declared their assets. Nothing happens to them. The law must prescribe clearly that if you don’t declare your assets, you should leave office because you are occupying office unconstitutionally,” Domelevo concluded, calling for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
