GACC advocates amendment of Asset Declaration Act for realistic enforcement
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has renewed calls for the amendment of the country's Asset Declaration Law to ensure its effective enforcement and strengthen accountability in public office. The post GACC advocates amendment of Asset Declaration Act for realistic enforcement appeared first on Ghana Business News .
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has pressed for changes to the country's Asset Declaration Law to improve its practical enforcement and bolster accountability among public officials. The law, which is a result of Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550), obligates public office holders to disclose their financial interests to the Auditor-General.
Despite this, civil rights advocate Pamela Laourou from the GACC claims the legislation is "extremely weak". She made these remarks during a stakeholder training session on corruption held in Abesim, near Sunyani, Bono Region. The event was part of the "Strengthening Accountability, Rule of Law and Institutional Responsiveness in Ghana" (SARIS) project, funded by the European Union.
The project aims to enhance the watchdog role of civil society organisations and push for reforms that will boost Ghana's integrity systems. The Centre for Democratic Development-Ghana, GACC, and Transparency International Ghana are spearheading this advocacy campaign. Laourou highlighted that the Act 550 has several weaknesses that impede its effectiveness, necessitating amendments.
She urged the public to back the reform efforts and protect public funds. Laourou also trained participants on various types of corruption, such as nepotism, favoritism, and conflicts of interest, and urged citizens to reject and report these practices to relevant bodies. She specifically stressed the importance of providing evidence when reporting corruption, urging the public to report suspected corruption through confidential channels.
During the open forum, CEO of Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), Raphael Ahenu, advocated for a change in the Ghanaian public's perception of corruption. Other panelists, including representatives from anti-corruption bodies, also condemned the practice of giving and receiving gifts that might sway public officials in their roles.
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