President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo swore in around 126 ministers and deputy ministers during his first term. They were replaced after several of them resigned.
They took the holy Ministerial Oath, promising to "uphold, maintain, safeguard, and defend the Republic of Ghana's Constitution."
However, five years later, The Fourth Estate has discovered that at least 19 of them failed to fulfill one of the constitution's most fundamental requirements: declaring their holdings and liabilities.
Since taking office in January 2017, President Akufo-Addo has complied fully with the asset declaration law. Since taking office, he has reported his assets three times.
According to records made public to The Fourth Estate, the President disclosed his holdings. The President disclosed his assets on January 24, 2017, February 17, 2021, and May 7, 2021, according to records available to The Fourth Estate.
His ministers and deputy ministers who served during his first term and are currently serving in his second term are required to report their assets and liabilities three times.
President Akufo-Addo said on July 18, 2017, that all of his appointees have disclosed their assets.
However, according to information accessible to The Fourth Estate, at least 19 ministers and deputy ministers have not disclosed since 2017.
What is the legislation on Asset Declaration?
Ministers are required by law to report their assets within six months after taking office and no later than six months after the end of their first term.
"A person holding a public office mentioned in clause (5) of this Article shall submit to the Auditor-General a written declaration of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by, him whether directly or indirectly (a) within three months after the coming into force of this Constitution or before taking office, as the case may be, (b) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his term of office," according to Article 268 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The declaration must be made before the public officer starts office, according to the Constitution. Section 1(4)(c) of the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, on the other hand, requires public office holders to comply with this obligation six months after entering office, every four years, and at the conclusion of their tenure.
The President, Vice-President, Speaker, Deputy Speakers of Parliament, ministers and deputy ministers of state, ambassadors, the Chief Justice, and managers of public institutions in which the state has an interest are required by law to submit written declarations to the Auditor-General of all property or assets owned by them, or liabilities owed to them, whether directly or indirectly.
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