Governance expert Dr Eric Oduro Osae has proposed the introduction of comprehensive lifestyle audits as part of Ghana’s anti-corruption strategy.

In a gbcghanaonline.com report on August 23,2025, Dr Osae said lifestyle audits where the income and assets of individuals are measured against their known sources of earnings would serve as a powerful tool in curbing corruption and promoting accountability.

“It is about time we mainstream lifestyle audits into national governance. This is not just about officeholders; even private citizens in sensitive roles should be subject to scrutiny. If we are not careful, we risk becoming a society where corruption is normalised,” he stated.

He explained that in many advanced jurisdictions, lifestyle audits are used to ensure that individuals can justify their wealth, pay taxes, and account for discrepancies between their income and expenditure.

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According to him, such audits must be conducted fairly and consistently, without political interference.

Dr Osae also emphasised that the initiative should not be limited to state institutions like the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), but extended to civil society, churches, and professional associations to encourage citizens to question unexplained wealth.

Citing a recent case involving dancehall artiste Shatta Wale who was questioned by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) over the acquisition of a luxury Lamborghini linked to a US based financial fraud investigation, he said such incidents highlight the importance of routine lifestyle audits rather than relying solely on special investigations after scandals erupt.

“A lifetime system of accountability teaches society to ask hard questions about where wealth comes from and whether it is legitimate. That is the only way we can strengthen governance and build integrity in our institutions,” he stressed.

He warned that without the introduction of lifestyle audits, Ghana risks entrenching corruption, weakening governance systems, and eroding public trust in leadership.

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