Former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, says Ghana’s asset and liabilities declaration system, though vital in curbing corruption, is burdened by flaws that compromise its effectiveness.
According to him, it is time for a serious overhaul of the system.
Speaking during the Constitution Review Committee’s stakeholder engagement on anti-corruption on Monday, April 14, Domelevo argued that while the declaration process is meant to deter public officials from amassing unexplained wealth, the current structure lacks the necessary transparency and accountability mechanisms.
He emphasized that the real power of asset declaration lies not just in submission but in verification.
According to him, merely placing declarations in sealed envelopes and handing them over to the Auditor-General defeats the purpose, especially when these documents are neither opened nor verified to confirm the authenticity of the information provided.
Mr. Domelevo revealed that during his tenure, he instituted a practice where individuals were required to present valid identification and a signed copy of their declaration to ensure legitimacy.
He further questioned the logic of entrusting this responsibility to the Auditor-General, describing it as an overload that distracts from the office’s core mandate of auditing.
