Charlotte Osei calls for amendment to Asset Declaration regime

Former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei, has called for amendments to Ghana’s asset declaration regime.

Her remarks come in the wake of a new report by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which revealed alarming figures about the cost of winning elections in Ghana.

This development has raised serious concerns about the future of democratic governance and the country’s fight against corruption.

According to the report, securing victory in presidential and parliamentary elections now requires an estimated $150 million and an additional GHS 10 million.

The report attributes this steep price tag to the growing monetization of the electoral process — a trend it warns is entrenching corruption and weakening accountability in public office.

Speaking at the event, Charlotte Osei, who is also a member of the Constitutional Review Committee, emphasised the need for a critical review of the asset declaration regime.

Madam Osei described it as “a critical key for fighting corruption with public office holders.”

“For some reason, when you even look at the Constitution, even general managers of state-owned entities or entities where the state has interests are supposed to be subject to this asset declaration regime, I don’t know if we’ve applied it to that level.

She noted that reforms are necessary to strengthen transparency and public trust.

“I’m also wondering that, if we had a system where, on assumption of office, you declare it is very verified, such a stringent regime, will actually help.”