Returning to publicising assets disclosed by public officials is necessary – Mary Awelana Addah

The Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Awelana Addah is calling for robust measures to ensure that Ghana returns to a regime of assets declaration of public officers.

According to her, over the last 10 years, her outfit, including others has been requesting the passage of a bill that would ensure that people declare their assets before assuming public offices.

This, she says was to activate an existing clause about asset declaration in the constitution.

But Parliament seems to have swiped that under the carpet, she said.

“Over the past ten years, we have been asking for a robust legislation or framework that deals with the matter of asset declaration.

“The constitution says people who take political office would be required to ensure that they declare their assets even before taking office.

“Somehow, in the passage of the law to activate that clause in the constitution, we see that there is a six-month period given.

“However, that is being tackled by the CoPOB (Conduct of Public Officers Bill) which has traversed about three different Parliaments and has not gotten passed,” she said on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday.

Madam Mary Addah explained that the cabinet with whom the bill has been over a prolonged duration, at some point decided that the passing of the bill was no longer a priority of the government. This, she said makes her curious.

According to her, the ruling government which in the run-up to elections, promised to wage a war against corruption needs to explain the sudden reluctance to do the same as it is now in power.

She laments that the country sees rhetoric from government more than the actions required to fight corruption.

The issue of assets declaration has become a huge topic of concern as allegations that some public officials may be keeping government funds to themselves are evolving.

People are calling for action to ensure that persons eligible for public offices declare their assets before they occupy them.

This, they say would help track cases of corruption-related activities easily.

source: myjoyonline.com