Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has pushed back against growing calls for the publication of asset declarations by public officials, arguing that such a move could spark “inordinate public curiosity” and even pose security threats.
Speaking during a high-level conference on Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Architecture on Friday, June 6, 2025, Agyebeng stated plainly: “I do not and I will not add my voice to calls for the publication of asset for public scrutiny.
“In our experience, it will be unhelpful and would nearly subject public officers to inordinate public curiosity and a specter of the real likelihood of reprisal attacks against their asset.”
Instead of public display, the Special Prosecutor called for a more effective and secure system that prioritizes verification over voyeurism.
“We should move beyond mere repository to a system of verification and tracing undeclared asset,” he stressed.
He further argued that tackling corruption must start from the ground up, placing emphasis on instilling strong values in the educational system.
“Corruption begins where values collapse, that is why integrity must be designed into our educational system from the basic level through to the tertiary level,” Agyebeng said.
While opposing public access to asset declarations, he made it clear that stronger internal mechanisms—like lifestyle audits—were essential to closing the loop on illicit wealth.
“We need a more robust and effective asset declaration mechanism in respect of public officers and persons undergoing lifestyle audit to close the loop on the amassing of illicit wealth and to enhance accountability,” he added.
