By Iddi Yire
Accra, Jan 23, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has charged his appointees and ministers of state to declare their assets.
The President gave the charge when he formally swore-in his first batch of six new Ministers of State at the Flagstaff House in Accra.
They include Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Finance Minister, Mr John Abu Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition, and Dr Dominic Akurutinga Ayine, Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
The rest are Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, Mr Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture and Mr Kwame Agbodza, Minister of Roads and Highways.

The President said the anti-corruption institutions would be empowered to investigate and deal with any appointee who falls foul of the law.
“I expect all of you to begin the process of declaring your assets,” President Mahama said
“The Chief of Staff will announce the cut-off date by which time all eligible appointees should have deposited their assets declaration forms with the Auditor General.”
There is the legal obligation under Article 286(1) of the Constitution and the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550), requiring public officers to declare their assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General before assuming office.
President Mahama said, he announced at the weekend that a committee of eminent legal and governance experts would lead the process for a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution, considering the work that was done by previous committees.
This, he said, would ensure that they refined the nation’s Constitution to meet the current requirements and stand the test of time to meet present and future needs.
“I believe that this effort will be supported by the majority of Ghanaians who yearn for a constitution that is responsive to our modern world,” he said
“While we were all aware of the country’s parlor’s economic state before the elections, it is important in the spirit of openness and transparency to inform the people of Ghana about the true state of affairs as we inherited it”.
He encouraged the ministers, as they assume office, to tell the nation about the situation in their respective sectors, even while they work tirelessly to lift Ghanaians out of the current situation.

President Mahama said the Attorney-General would be expected to spearhead the much-needed reforms in the nation’s judicial system to make it more accessible and beneficial to all, irrespective of their backgrounds.
“The people of Ghana are desirous of a system that guarantees equal justice for all and nothing more or nothing less.” The President stated
He reiterated that it was quite clear that so much needs to be done in such a short time, and that he was assuring the people of Ghana that this Government would rise to the challenge and would reset their country.
At the event were Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary, NDC.
GNA