National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has stated that the next NDC government would prioritize stringent asset declaration policies for public officials.
He emphasized that the party is committed to ensuring that all public officers fully disclose their assets, making this information accessible to the public.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Gyamfi outlined the party’s intention to make asset declarations not only mandatory but also accessible to the public, a significant shift from the current system.
Mr Gyamfi emphasized the NDC’s dedication to transparency as detailed in the party’s manifesto, which was launched on August 24 in Winneba.
He criticized the existing asset declaration framework, highlighting its inefficiencies due to a lack of transparency.
“The problem with the current system is its lack of transparency, which is why it’s not working effectively. We are promising to revise the law on asset declaration so that the public can see what is contained in the declarations of public officials.”
Mr Gyamfi explained that all government officials would be required to make their asset declarations public. These declarations would be published in national newspapers and on official government websites, ensuring that every Ghanaian has the opportunity to scrutinize the assets of public officials.
“That is exactly what we will do when given the opportunity,” he affirmed.
He called for an end to confidential asset declarations, as they are currently only accessible by the Auditor-General. He argued that such declarations should be open to public scrutiny as part of efforts to promote good governance and curb corruption.
“We believe asset declarations should not be confidential, known only to the Auditor-General. Instead, they should be transparent and accessible to anyone who wants to examine the affairs of any public official,” he stated.
Addressing flaws in the current system, Mr Gyamfi identified two critical issues: the lack of transparency and the absence of strict enforcement. To rectify these, he promised that the NDC would establish a new system where asset declarations by public officials are made public and easily accessible, ensuring that “nothing will be kept secret.”
Furthermore, Mr Gyamfi issued a stern warning regarding non-compliance, stating that under an NDC government, failure to adhere to asset declaration laws would not be tolerated. He pledged that strict penalties, including the removal of non-compliant public officials, would be enforced.
“The president, under the next NDC government, will ensure that any public officer who does not comply loses their position. This will be our starting point,” he concluded.
Source: myjoyonline.com
