The National Chairman of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Nana Ofori Owusu, has called for significant reforms to Ghana’s asset declaration laws, advocating for greater public access to the declared assets of government appointees. Apexnewsgh reports
His comments come in response to recent media reports alleging that nine out of 55 ministers and deputy ministers from President John Dramani Mahama’s administration did not meet the March 31 deadline for submitting their asset declaration forms, despite a directive from the President.
The government, however, has refuted these claims, accusing certain media outlets of misreporting the facts.
During an appearance on “The Big Issue” on Channel One TV , Mr. Ofori Owusu criticized the government’s decision to extend the deadline for asset declaration, arguing that it undermines accountability and fosters a sense of complacency among public officials. “I didn’t agree with the extension; from March to May, action should have been taken immediately. Such delays only make people lax about the process,” he stated emphatically.
Moreover, he urged for a comprehensive legal review that would enable asset declarations to be accessible to the public, asserting that the current rules—which keep these documents sealed—hinder transparency. “When you declare your assets, it is sealed from public view,” he pointed out. “This should be a public document, accessible under the Information Act.”
Mr. Ofori Owusu emphasized the importance of accountability, suggesting that citizens should be able to track changes in the wealth of public officials. “I should be able to see that when you came into office, you had one house; now you have ten. These discrepancies must be questioned, as they are the issues that the public is concerned about,” he remarked.
As discussions about asset declaration and transparency in governance continue, Ofori Owusu’s call for reform highlights a growing demand for accountability among government officials in Ghana.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
