Assets declaration: Publish names of defaulting appointees – Vitus Azeem to Mahama

Anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem supports President John Dramani Mahama's decision. He plans to sanction appointees who did not declare their assets by March 31. Azeem calls for more transparency in this process.

In an interview on Eyewitness News, Azeem praised the move as overdue. He noted that Ghana’s Asset Declaration Act has been around since 1998. However, it has not been effectively enforced.

Azeem emphasized the importance of the president's decision. He criticized past inaction by the Auditor-General. The Auditor-General has not published names of those who complied with the law.

“Even the Auditor-General doesn’t publish names of people,” Azeem said. He pointed out that no action has been taken against non-compliers.

While supporting Mahama’s sanctions, Azeem urged for public naming of defaulters. “The names must be published,” he stated. This would show that there is a commitment to uphold the law.

President Mahama has warned appointees to declare their assets by May 7. Those who fail will face automatic dismissal from their positions.