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Declaration of Assets by Public Office Holders Is a Way to Fight Corruption in Ghana - Anti-corruption Campaigner

The Executive Secretary of the Ghana anti-corruption coalition, Madam Beauty Emefa Narteh, has stated that a way to fighting corruption among the public office holders in the country is for the Ghana Audit Service to be critically involved in making sure these Public Office Holders heed to declaration of their assets upon assumption of office.

This follows the controversy by the former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John whose will some months ago went viral containing assets believed to have been acquired while manning his position as the CEO of the Forestry Commission.

Speaking at the Public Forum organized by the Media Foundation, concerning assets declaration by Public Office Holders’, Madam Beauty Emefa Nartey explained that the internal audit should work closely with the Ghana Audit Service as part of the Audit Service to enable close check on the government appointees.

She said doing that activity will help ensure that Government appointees declare their assets which will in a way save the Nations purse and also protect persons involved against any future property conflicts.

The Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mr. Vitus Azeem also suggested to the Auditor General that if Parliamentarians and other public offices holders refuse to declare their asset upon assumption of position, they should take such persons to court for violating the constitution.

A Private Legal Practitioner and a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Lawyer Justice Abdulai said Government officials have difficulty in accessing the assets declaration forms and that is a reason most state officials have not declared their assets.