The Head of Political Desk at Asaase Radio, Wilberforce Asare, has defended recent civic action that triggered investigations into delayed asset declarations by public officials, arguing that constitutional accountability depends on citizens actively demanding compliance.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (20 February), Asare said Article 286 of Ghana’s Constitution — which mandates public office holders to declare their assets — is not symbolic but a “preventive anti-corruption tool” that only works when enforced.
“Article 286 of our constitution is not decorative. It is a transparency safeguard. In fact, it is a preventive anti-corruption tool. But a law that is not demanded by citizens becomes a law that gathers dust,” he said.
His comments follow a petition that led to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) investigating several state appointees over alleged non-compliance with asset declaration timelines. The Commission later commended the petitioner for discharging his civic duty and helping to hold public officials accountable.
Asare described the recognition as significant for Ghana’s democracy.
“That commendation matters because it affirms a principle — democracy survives when ordinary citizens insist that constitutional provisions are respected,” he said.
‘Citizenship is not a spectator sport’
According to Asare, the episode shows that institutions respond when citizens use lawful channels such as complaints, right-to-information requests and court applications.
“Citizenship is not a spectator sport. Institutions respond when citizens engage them properly,” he noted.
He explained that asset declaration is a constitutional obligation that must be habitual, not reactive.
“The constitution does not say declare when convenient. It says declare within the statutory period. Compliance must be habitual, not reactionary,” he said.
He rejected suggestions that demanding transparency undermines government, insisting instead that it strengthens governance.
“Transparency is not anti-government; it is pro-governance. Demanding accountability strengthens institutions, it does not weaken them.”
Timeline of the complaint
During the interview, the petitioner detailed how a Right to Information request to the Auditor-General sought the declaration status of chief executives and board chairpersons across 15 state institutions.
The response indicated that some officials had not filed within the required timeframe, prompting a formal complaint to CHRAJ and later a mandamus application at the High Court to compel action when acknowledgment was delayed.
CHRAJ subsequently began investigations and found that at least one official declared assets after the complaint was filed, leading to a reprimand rather than harsher sanctions.
Asare said this outcome still met the core objective of enforcing compliance.
“What we are seeking to do is not to vilify anybody. What we are seeking to do is to make sure that our constitution and subsequent acts of parliament are respected,” he said.
Debate over sanctions and disclosure
While some have called for stronger penalties or public disclosure of asset declarations, the petitioner supported the current system where declarations remain sealed with the Ghana Audit Service unless a court orders otherwise.
He argued that the approach balances transparency with privacy.
“These are private assets. They should remain private unless there is a legal basis for the declaration to be unsealed for investigation or prosecution,” he explained.
However, he stressed that officials must take their legal obligations seriously to avoid undermining public trust.
“If the president can declare his assets promptly, how is it possible that appointees would disregard the directive? Public office is not ceremonial — it comes with obligations,” he said.
‘One citizen can trigger action’
Asare said the broader lesson is that individual citizens can meaningfully influence governance.
“Too often we say, ‘What difference can I make?’ But one citizen can trigger institutional action. Oversight is not sabotage — it is patriotism,” he said.
He added that greater civic vigilance would make public officers more meticulous and institutions more responsive.
“Democracy is not protected only by presidents, judges or commissioners. It is protected by you and I — citizens who read the Constitution and act on it.”
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