At least three out of the thirteen leaders of Ghana’s parliament have so far declared their assets in line with the Assets Declaration Law, 1998 (Act 550) and Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution.
Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, and Minority Chief whip, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, had fully complied with the Asset Declaration Act in the House per data sourced from the Audit Service by online portal, thefourthestategh.com.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on May 25, 2022 cautioned Ghana’s lawmakers to comply with the law.
He asked the 275 legislators to lead by example by declaring their assets in line with the Assets Declaration Law, 1998 (Act 550) and Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution.
“As the saying goes, charity begins at home. As the constitutional and legal head of the institution of Parliament, the spokesperson, the arbitrator and guarantor of its authority, independence and privileges, I pledge to lead this effort by example,” he said.
Mr. Bagbin himself was compliant in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
What the law says
According to Act 550, Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification), public officers (including the members of parliament) are expected to declare their assets within six months in office and latest by six months after Parliament is dissolved.
“The declaration shall be made by the public officer— (a) before taking office; (b) at the end of every four years; and (c) at the end of the term of his office and shall, in any event, be submitted not later than 6 months of the occurrence of any of the events specified in this subsection.”
– Additional files from thefourthestategh.com
