African Leaders have been challenged to enforce the mandatory disclosure of assets and liabilities of public office holders as part of measures in dealing with graft in Commonwealth Africa.
In a Ten-Point Communique by representatives of 21 African Countries in the just-ended 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa held in Accra, Ghana, delegates also called for lifestyle audits
“Commonwealth African governments should ensure the mandatory disclosure of assets and liabilities of all public office holders, and take necessary steps to audit their lifestyles, and that of their significant associates; Commonwealth African governments should consider legislative frameworks which put the burden of proof on individuals with unexplained wealth”, it stated.
It also called for closed collaborations with sister agencies i the fight against corruption while encouraging that anti-graft bodies be well-resourced in the fight against the canker.
“Commonwealth African governments should commit adequate resources to Anti-Corruption agencies, to ensure the latter’s effectiveness and sustainability at fighting corruption; Anti-Corruption agencies should collaborate with relevant local agencies and cooperate with key international partners in the fight against corruption; Anti-Corruption agencies should consider leveraging expertise of international partners and key players to build capacity towards combating corruption; Anti-Corruption agencies should preserve their independence as a means to ensure their effectiveness and upholding the integrity of their work; Anti-Corruption agencies should intensify corruption prevention in view of the evolving corruption landscape”, the communique urged.
The weeklong event organised Commonwealth Secretariat and co-hosted by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), as the lead agency, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice ( CHRAJ) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) all of the Republic of Ghana, was held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, Ghana from 5-12 May 2024.
