Mahama Promises Declaration of Assets for Appointees to Re-gain Public Confidence

The Presidential Candidate of Ghana's National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has reaffirmed his commitment to transparency in governance with an absolute assurance that all appointees under his regime are expected to declare their assets within the first 30 days of his taking office. The event was at the NDC Governance Forum on October 31 in Accra  where he made this pledge.

As the steep decline in public trust was reflected in Ghanaian institutions in the Afrobarometer survey, this points to widespread dissatisfaction among citizens. Mahama said, "Our administration will review the codes of conduct for public officeholders to promote ethical leadership, professionalism, and efficiency.

The reforms Mahama intends to pursue are far-reaching, directed not just at asset declarations but at ensuring a more ethical sense of responsibility and humility by appointed officials. He also wishes to entrench these values as a way of life to ensure integrity and responsiveness in the public sector for service to the people.

Mahama's method encompasses the complete rewriting of the existing codes of conduct, believing in the fact that it can upgrade the practice of ethical governance at the various strata of public office. "We must make the public sector work for the people by being responsive to their needs," he added. This approach underpins his aspiration of a government typified by modesty and devotion, which is pivotal if one is ever to regain confidence in the people.