President Mahama means business – Kwakye Ofosu on asset declaration sanctions

President John Dramani Mahama has taken a firm stand on accountability by penalizing appointees who failed to meet the asset declaration deadline under Ghana’s newly launched Code of Conduct for public servants.

Speaking on May 10, 2025, the  Minister of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, highlighted the president’s strong track record on integrity and responsibility. He noted that President Mahama is setting a new standard by ensuring real consequences for non-compliance.

“In the past, people flouted this with no consequences. This time, President Mahama is setting a certain tone,” Kwakye Ofosu said. He added that the days of ignoring asset declaration rules are over, and sanctions will now be enforced to ensure accountability.

The President announced that all appointees who failed to declare their assets by the March 31, 2025, deadline will forfeit four months’ salary. One month was already pledged by all appointees to the Mahama Cares Trust Fund.

Those who missed the deadline will forfeit an additional three months’ salary, also directed to the fund.

An update from the Auditor-General confirmed that several high-profile appointees had missed the deadline. President Mahama gave them until May 7 to comply or risk dismissal.

At the Code of Conduct launch on May 5 in Accra, the president stated that the guidelines apply to a wide range of public officials, including ministers, deputy ministers, CEOs, and presidential staffers.

The code covers areas like conflict of interest, gift declarations, and misuse of public funds.

The policy, which took immediate effect, is being praised as a bold move toward transparent and ethical governance.