Ghanaian president declares assets to promote transparency, combat corruption

ACCRA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday publicly declared his assets as part of his efforts to promote transparency and combat corruption.

The declaration details his financial holdings, properties, and other assets following Ghana's Public Office Holders Act.

"In times past, I would privately present these forms to the Auditor-General in fulfillment of my statutory obligation. I have taken the step of presenting these forms publicly as a way of injecting some openness and transparency into the process of asset declaration," said Mahama.

He stressed the need for proactive measures in fighting corruption, asserting that prevention is just as important as punishment.

"I have maintained that while it is all well and good to punish corruption, a more effective way of addressing the canker is preventing it from occurring in the first place. I honestly believe that if properly created and enforced, the asset declaration can become a sustainable tool for tackling corruption," he said.

Mahama also issued a firm directive to government appointees, urging them to declare their assets by the end of March or risk dismissal from office. ■