Assets declaration must be supported with punitive measures, lifestyle audit — Domelevo

Former Auditor General Daniel Yao Domelevo has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana's anti-corruption framework, emphasizing the need to complement asset declaration with lifestyle audits and punitive measures for non-compliance.

Delivering a keynote speech at a public forum on illicit financial flow on Tuesday, December 3, Domelevo critiqued the current system, which he says has failed to hold public officials accountable.

"Every declaration system must have punishment or punitive measures if you don't declare correctly, or you don't declare at all. In the case of Ghana, there is nothing like that," Domelevo lamented.

He pointed to the lack of consequences for high-profile figures, including former Chief Justices, who have failed to properly declare their assets and liabilities.

The former Auditor General argued that the current asset declaration system is insufficient, as public officers can easily hide their wealth through family and friends.

“Public officers will hide their assets with families and friends to avoid being exposed, they will acquire their assets and liabilities in the name of all families and friends," he said.

Domelevo advocated for the introduction of lifestyle audits to complement the asset declaration process, stressing the need to reverse the burden of proof.

“Once we can prove beyond reasonable doubt that you have these resources in your account, or you own this, then the auto shift you to prove to us how you got it," he said.

Drawing parallels to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Domelevo emphasized that lifestyle audits should be a standard practice, not just for specific investigations.

“As for lifestyle audit, it should go far, because the one you hide the money with, or your resources with, can't be anybody at all," he argued.

The former Auditor General also called for the media to play a crucial role in identifying and reporting on cases of unexplainable wealth among public officials.