President John Dramani Mahama has given his appointees who failed to meet his March 31st deadline to declare their assets until Wednesday, May 7, or consider themselves dismissed.

The Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550) mandates public officials to declare their assets and liabilities upon their assumption of office.

The law aims to prevent corruption, detect illicit enrichment, and address conflicts of interest by requiring public officials to disclose their assets and liabilities.

President Mahama issued this firm directive when he unveiled a Code of Ethics and Conduct for his ministers and appointees, charging them to strictly adhere to its provisions.

The Code is intended to regulate the conduct of the President’s appointees, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability in government.

He emphasized that the Code of Ethics is more than a mere guideline, describing it as a declaration of intent.

“It is the foundation of a new ethos in public service—one that values ethics over expediency, duty over indulgence, and country over self. We are here to serve and will serve with honor,” the President stated.

He recalled that on February 18, he set a deadline of March 31 for all appointees who were taking office or being nominated at that time to declare their assets.

He said an update provided by the Auditor General indicated that some appointees had failed to meet that deadline.

“For all those who were appointed or nominated before March 31, 2025, and failed to meet the deadline, you are to forfeit three months’ salary to be donated to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, named after me—Mahama Cares,” he said.

This is in addition to one month’s salary that he had already asked all appointees to donate to the Mahama Cares Trust Fund.

He noted that this means those who failed to declare their assets by the deadline would effectively be donating four months’ salary to the fund.

“However, if by the close of day, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, any of you still fails to declare your assets, count yourself automatically dismissed,” he warned.

The President stated that the asset declaration regime is a vital mechanism for combating corruption and abuse of office and must be upheld by all public servants.

“Strict compliance with this Code will restore confidence in the political elite and help consolidate our democracy,” he said.

Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, also urged ministers of state and other presidential appointees to fully abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct.