The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has publicly rejected calls for the publication of asset declarations by public officials, arguing that such a move could lead to reprisal attacks and undermine the very integrity the process seeks to uphold.
Speaking at a high-level conference on Ghana’s Anti-corruption Architecture on Friday, June 6, 2025, Mr. Agyebeng stated, “I do not and I will not add my voice to calls for the publication of asset for public scrutiny. In our experience, it will be unhelpful and would nearly subject public officers to inordinate public curiosity and a specter of the real likelihood of reprisal attacks against their asset.”
Instead of publication, the Special Prosecutor advocated for a strengthened system of verification and asset tracing.
“We need a more robust and effective asset declaration mechanism in respect of public officers and persons undergoing lifestyle audit to close the loop on the amassing of illicit wealth and to enhance accountability,” he said.
He emphasized that the focus should be on building systems that ensure integrity, starting with education.
“Corruption begins where values collapse, that is why integrity must be designed into our educational system from the basic level through to the tertiary level,” he noted.
Mr. Agyebeng called for a shift beyond the current model, stating, “We should move beyond mere repository to a system of verification and tracing undeclared asset.”
His comments follow a recent move by former President John Mahama, who submitted his completed Asset Declaration Forms to the Auditor-General on February 18 and directed all his appointees to do the same by March 31 or risk removal from office. The directive aligns with Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates eligible public officeholders to declare their assets to the Auditor-General.
