Review law to empower Auditor General to investigate declared assets says Assistant Auditor General
The Assistant Auditor General has called for an urgent review of Ghanas laws governing the declaration of assets by public officials. He believes that the existing framework does not give the Auditor General sufficient investigative authority to verify the accuracy of declarations submitted by public servants.
Speaking during a public discourse on accountability, the Assistant Auditor General argued that the current system places too much emphasis on the submission of forms and too little on verification. He noted that many declarations remain unexamined because the law does not explicitly empower the Auditor General to probe beyond what is written on paper.
He explained that asset disclosure is one of the most important tools for preventing corruption, conflicts of interest, and illicit wealth accumulation. However, without the legal authority to investigate suspicious items or inconsistencies, the system becomes a formality rather than an accountability mechanism.
He stated that several countries have adopted more robust systems where auditing institutions verify bank accounts, cross check property ownership, and trace financial flows to ensure that asset declarations match actual wealth. Ghana, he argued, must modernise its legal framework to keep pace with global best practices.
The Assistant Auditor General also mentioned that the lack of investigative power weakens public confidence. When citizens believe that asset declarations are not being thoroughly examined, they assume that the process exists only to satisfy legal requirements without enforcing integrity.
He encouraged Parliament to consider an amendment that would expand the mandate of the Auditor General. This mandate would include powers to request additional documents, question public officials about specific asset details, and initiate investigations when red flags appear.
He further emphasised that granting these powers would not be an attack on public officials but a reinforcement of accountability. Individuals who act with integrity, he noted, have nothing to fear from transparent verification processes.
Additionally, he called for technological upgrades to support the verification of asset declarations. He explained that digital systems can link declarations to national databases, ensuring accurate cross referencing of properties, income sources, and financial holdings.
Civil society organisations welcomed his call and described it as a vital step toward strengthening public trust. They noted that reforms in asset declaration laws could significantly reduce corruption within the public sector.
The Assistant Auditor General concluded by stating that proper accountability protects both public officials and the state. With stronger laws and clearer investigative authority, the Auditor General would be better positioned to uphold integrity in public service.
