By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Ashaiman, Feb. 27, GNA – Dr. Worlanyo Mensah, an economist, has called on government appointees and public officials to declare their assets, emphasising that transparency in leadership is key to fighting corruption and restoring public trust.
Dr. Worlanyo commended President John Dramani Mahama’s public asset declaration, describing the move as a strong statement on fighting corruption saying that actions help to shift public perception about leadership and governance.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that asset declaration was not just a legal obligation but a moral duty for those in public office, saying that when leaders openly disclose their wealth, it reassures citizens that they have nothing to hide and are committed to serving the nation with integrity.
He explained that corruption thrives where there was secrecy in governance and noted that Ghana’s constitution required certain officials to declare their assets, noting, however, that enforcement of this law remained weak, allowing public officials to accumulate wealth without accountability.
“Transparency will build trust, and citizens will see that their leaders are honest about their financial standing; they will have greater confidence in government institutions. If the president can declare his assets, why cannot serving officials do the same? It should be standard practice for anyone in public service,” he added.
He said asseted that declaration should not be seen as an attack on public officials but rather as a safeguard for ethical leadership, adding that although the fight against corruption required a collective effort, it would require leaders to lead by example.
Dr. Worlanyo also noted that civil society organisations and the media had a role to play in demanding greater transparency from public officials and urged these groups to push for reforms that would make asset declarations more accessible to the public.
GNA