Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has endorsed President John Dramani Mahama’s ultimatum to government appointees who have failed to declare their assets.
He stressed the need for strict enforcement of accountability standards in public office.
His comments follow President Mahama’s directive issued during the launch of the Code of Conduct, which set a final deadline of May 7, 2025, for all appointees to comply with Ghana’s asset declaration laws. The President warned that failure to meet this deadline would lead to immediate dismissal.
This directive comes after an earlier deadline of March 31 was missed by some appointees. It forms part of the administration’s broader commitment to promoting transparency, curbing corruption, and safeguarding public resources.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Dr. Asante emphasized that individuals seeking public office must adhere to existing rules, including declaring their assets before taking office.
“There has to be some consequence. If the whole point is the appointment that they want, these are the rules of public office, which is accountability. If you don’t follow it, you don’t benefit.
“The way people clamour for these things, if that’s what you want, then you will also have to make sure that you submit to the rules to make sure that our public interest and our public funds are protected,” he stated.
He also pointed out that the obligation to declare assets extends beyond politicians.
“If you read Act 550, there is a long list of persons who are supposed to declare their assets. There is an omnibus clause that says everybody whose income is equivalent to a director of the civil service is also required to declare their assets.
“The whole idea is that everybody who has a certain level of power or authority within the state has to declare their assets, and ensure that they are not abusing their powers for private gains,” he added.