Former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has described the GHC20,000 gift threshold outlined in the newly launched Code of Conduct for political appointees as excessive, calling for its urgent review to safeguard accountability in public office.
Speaking in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News, monitored by NSEMGH on Tuesday, May 6, Domelevo acknowledged that the Code is a good step toward instilling professionalism and ethics in public office but insisted that some provisions, particularly on gifts, require reconsideration.
“It is a good start. I see a lot of clarity in defining the role of a minister. I am very happy to read about the receiving of gifts, except that the threshold, I think, is too high. 20,000 is just too high, and that is more than 1,000 dollars,” he stated.
Drawing on his experience at the World Bank, Domelevo noted that the acceptable threshold there was significantly lower and that the new one projected should be re-examined.
At the World Bank, where I was, the threshold was 50 dollars. If you receive a gift above the value of $50, you surrender it; you do not take it home. But in this case, it is about 1,000 dollars, and 20,000 Ghana cedis to be specific. I think it is too high,” he argued.
Domelevo’s remarks come in the wake of the launch of a new Code of Conduct for political appointees by President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, May 5.
The Code, which seeks to promote ethical leadership and civility in governance, includes a provision allowing ministers and other appointees to retain gifts valued up to GHC20,000.
Gifts exceeding that value must be declared to the Cabinet during tenure and relinquished upon leaving office, unless explicit permission is granted by the President to retain them.
According to the President, the directive will enhance transparency and integrity in public service.
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