The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) commends President John Dramani Mahama for his bold and commendable actions toward promoting ethical leadership and accountability in public office, particularly through the launch of the Code of Conduct for Political Appointees.

We especially applaud the President’s decision to declare and transfer gifted vehicles to the state, a personal act of transparency that sets an important precedent.

This move exemplifies the values of humility, responsibility, and integrity that we expect from our nation’s highest office.

However, while the President’s firm warning to appointees who failed to meet the March 31 asset declaration deadline is welcome, we are not in agreement with the extended deadline to May 7, 2025.

The original deadline was clear and should have been respected. Granting an extension may inadvertently reduce the seriousness of the directive and weaken its enforcement.

Call for Constitutional and Legal Reform

The PPP has, over the years, consistently advocated for greater transparency in the declaration of assets by public officials. While the Constitution and current law mandate asset declarations, these remain sealed documents, inaccessible to the public or civil society.

This severely undermines the principle of public accountability. We therefore call for an amendment to Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution, which currently states: Article 286(1): A person who holds a public office… shall submit to the Auditor-General a written declaration of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by him whether directly or indirectly… Article 286(3): The declaration made under clause (1) of this article shall, on demand, be produced in evidence – (a) before a court of competent jurisdiction; or (b) before a commission of inquiry appointed under article 278 of this Constitution; or (c) before an investigator appointed by the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

We propose that this article be amended to allow access to such declarations by the public or under the Right to Information Act, without the need for a court order or formal inquiry. Additionally, the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550) should be reviewed and revised to align with this transparency agenda, including stipulations for public disclosure of asset declarations for all key public officials.

Support for Public Oversight Mechanisms

The proposed public reporting portal for suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct is a welcome initiative. We encourage all Ghanaians to utilize this platform responsibly to safeguard our democracy and ensure that public servants remain accountable to the people.

Conclusion

President Mahama’s recent actions represent a meaningful step toward restoring ethical standards in public life. However, without deeper legal reforms, particularly those that promote transparency and public access to asset declarations, our fight against corruption will remain incomplete. The Progressive People’s Party remains committed to championing policies that prioritize transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership. We urge Parliament, civil society, and the wider citizenry to join us in pushing for constitutional amendments that reflect these values.

Signed,

National Chairman

Progressive People’s Party (PPP)

See full statement attached