Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is the National Chairman of the NDC

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has strongly criticised the country’s asset declaration regime.

Addressing a public lecture on June 26, 2025, Asiedu Nketiah pointed out systemic flaws in the asset declaration process, which he described as a ‘charade’ that, according to him, does not promote accountability, transparency, or effectively help fight corruption.

He disclosed that the current system only requires government appointees and public service officials to fill out a form and submit it to the Auditor-General, who lacks the legal authority to examine the document.

He explained that the Auditor-General, as well as authorised individuals, can only do so when directed by a court order.

“We all deceive ourselves that we are declaring our assets, but what you actually do is that you fill a piece of paper, put it in an envelope, and go and deposit it with the Auditor-General. The law does not allow anybody to see it, and it cannot even be opened by the Auditor-General until there is a court order. So, whatever I put in there, it's just my word that I have put in there.

“But this type of charade, where you just fill a piece of paper, put it in an envelope, go and deposit it somewhere, and we say we are happy that we are declaring our assets. We are not declaring anything,” he said.

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, in declaring his stance on asset declaration as a means to accountability and transparency, advocated for more stringent measures to curb corruption among state officials.

He has consequently called for a review of the laws underpinning the asset declaration regime.

His call aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s code of conduct for appointees, which mandates public appointees to declare their assets.

President Mahama, on May 5, 2025, sanctioned appointees who failed to declare their assets by the March 31, 2025, deadline, requiring them to forfeit three months' salary.

He also warned of more drastic measures, including dismissal, for continued noncompliance.

MAG/VPO

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