President John Dramani Ma­hama has served notice that any appointee who is required to declare his or her asset as prescribed in Article 286 of the 1992 Consti­tution and Public Office Holders Declaration of Assets and Disqualification Act, (Act 550), but fails to do so, will be shown the exit from government."If by close of day, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, any of you still fails to declare your assets, count yourself automatically dismissed," President Mahama stated.The President gave this indication at the Pres­idency, in Accra yesterday, when he launched the Code of Conduct, to guide actions and decision making of appointees, and to spell out conse­quences of those who'll be in breach of same.President Mahama's warning comes on the back of an earlier deadline of March 31, 2025, he gave in February, for all appointees to declare their assets, after he declared his assets.Additionally, appointees who failed to meet the March 31 deadline would forfeit three months of salary, to be paid into the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, as punishment and additional one month salary as he directed at the launch of the Fund in Accra last Tuesday.According to President Mahama, the asset declaration regime is an important mechanism to check corruption and abuse of office and must be respected by all.The Code among other things enjoins appoin­tees to declare their interests in entities that do business with government to avoid conflict of interest, sets limits for gifts, mandates appointees to procure prior approval before any international travel, and prohibits them from purchasing state assets.Sanctions for breach of the Code range from public apology, reprimand, suspension, resigna­tion and ultimately, dismissal."Let me assure you that these sanctions are not cosmetic.

They'll be enforced and I'll not hesi­tate to act firmly and decisively no matter who is involved so do not put me in a position where I have to make that drastic choice because I'll not compromise in protecting the integrity of this government," President Mahama said.The Code applies to the president and his vice, senior government officials at the presidency, ministers and deputies, presidential staffers, chief executive officers and their deputies, members of the Council of State, board members and other appointees within the executive arm of govern­ment.The Code, President Mahama held represents a bold declaration of the standards that needed to be upheld as servants of the public and reflects his commitment to constitute a government that is ethical, responsive and worthy of the people's trust."This document is not a ceremonial one.

It is a living one and an enforceable framework that outlines what is expected of every individual ap­pointed under this administration," he stressed.The need for a Code of Conduct, the Presi­dent admitted had become apparent because "we must build a new political culture that is rooted in transparency, humility and ethical leadership".He called on the public to be part of the accountability process by monitoring compliance and report breaches with the guarantee of confi­dentiality and impartial investigations."This is a strict code I must admit but if we abide by it, it will restore the faith of our people in our democracy.

Strict compliance with this code will restore confidence in the political elite and help to consolidate our democracy," President Mahama emphasized.The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, entreated the appointees to study the Code as their Bible or Quran because irrespective of how close they may have been to the president, there would be no compromises if they breached it."There shall be no excuse whatsoever when you cross the line.