|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent demonstration of ethical leadership but insists that transparency must go beyond symbolism and become legally enforceable.
The party praised the President’s decision to declare and hand over gifted vehicles to the state as a commendable act that sets a precedent for future officeholders. According to the PPP, the move exemplifies the type of integrity and accountability needed to restore public trust in leadership.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu, the PPP noted that while President Mahama’s personal gesture is praiseworthy, it highlights the broader need for institutionalized transparency, particularly in the area of asset declarations by public officials. “We applaud the President’s action, but real accountability requires legal reforms that give the public direct access to asset declarations,” Nana Ofori Owusu stated.
The PPP emphasized that under current laws, including Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, asset declarations are filed with the Auditor-General but remain inaccessible to the public unless demanded in court or by a commission of inquiry. This, the party argues, undermines genuine accountability.
The party is therefore renewing its call for constitutional amendments that would open up asset declarations to public scrutiny, either through the Right to Information Act or direct public disclosure mechanisms.
“Sealed asset declarations contradict the principle of public accountability. Citizens have the right to know what their leaders own, both before and after their tenure,” the statement stressed. The party also criticized the government’s extension of the asset declaration deadline for political appointees from March 31 to May 7, 2025. The PPP argues that such extensions weaken the urgency and seriousness of compliance, potentially allowing appointees to evade full disclosure.
The PPP also endorsed a government proposal to introduce a public reporting portal for suspected breaches of the new Code of Conduct for Political Appointees. It urged citizens to make full use of the tool to report unethical behavior and uphold democratic values.
While recognizing President Mahama’s ethical gesture as a step in the right direction, the PPP maintained that lasting progress depends on legal reforms that empower citizens to hold public officials accountable.
“Transparency should not be a favor from the government; it must be a constitutional guarantee,” the statement said.
