Former Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has commended President John Mahama for declaring his assets but stressed the need for a lifestyle audit to effectively curb corruption among public officials.
Speaking on Joy News' PM Express on Tuesday, February 18, he acknowledged the President's move as a "good gesture" but raised concerns about the process. "It is good to see that the President has declared his assets," he said. "I was not too happy seeing the envelope being given to the Auditor General because that goes more or less to support what people have all along been saying-that you put your declaration in an envelope, seal it, and give it to the Auditor General, which is not the case anyway. "This should have gone through the entire process so that they capture it because you are supposed to verify the signature and be sure that the form has been properly completed.
That at least should have been done, but it was not done." While appreciating President Mahama's directive for his appointees and public office holders to declare their assets by March 31, Domelevo expressed reservations about the timeline. "To be honest with you, I think March 31 is too far away because the Constitution provides that it should be declared before you take office," he argued. "Some will argue that Act 550 allows six months, but Act 550 contradicts the Constitution.
I have a letter in my possession, written by former Attorney General Gloria Akuffo, confirming that the provisions of subsection 4(1) of Act 550 contradict the Constitution.
