Private legal practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu has underscored the need for asset declaration by ministers and other public officers before they assume duty.
Kpebu pointed out that the Constitution requires public officers to declare their assets before they take office. He noted that there is often time between their nomination and swearing-in, thus the declaration must be done before assuming office.
This period, according to Kpebu, allows the appointed ministers and other public officers to complete their asset declaration forms.
“For those ministers who are yet to come, they should declare before they are sworn-in because the Constitution says before you take office,” he emphasized.
He also drew attention to a critical ruling by the Supreme Court, which clarified that nominees could act as ministers for a reasonable period before being formally sworn-in.
“The Supreme Court says they can act as ministers for a reasonable time. Let’s emphasize this,” Kpebu said, reinforcing the idea that acting ministers have the flexibility to complete necessary formalities like asset declarations before their official swearing-in.
Kpebu further emphasized that while some ministers are referred to as “minister-designates” before taking office, the law allows them to begin acting in their capacity as ministers during this interim period.
“If you are acting, then we can take time to fill your asset declaration forms, etc., and then come and be sworn-in,” he clarified, stressing that this acting period provides ample time for the process to be completed.
His remarks served to underline the importance of adhering to the constitutional requirements while also recognizing the flexibility provided by the legal framework.
By encouraging ministers to take the necessary steps during their acting period, Kpebu emphasized the importance of upholding transparency and integrity in public office from the very start of their appointments.
Through his comments, Kpebu contributed to the ongoing conversation about transparency and accountability in Ghana’s governance, calling attention to the legal mechanisms that ensure ministers are held to the standards expected of them.
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