Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South and Minister for Education, on March 24, 2026, raised significant concerns following a March 18, 2026, Supreme Court ruling that fundamentally altered Ghana’s asset declaration regime.
Mr. Iddrisu addressed the media and Parliament on the Supreme Court striking down the six-month grace period for asset declaration previously allowed under the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550).
The court declared this provision unconstitutional, ruling that public officers must now declare their assets before assuming office rather than within six months after.
He argued that while the ruling aims to remove “legislative absurdities,” it creates practical and legal questions regarding the precise timing required by the Constitution versus Act 550.
Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that the sudden removal of the grace period could create administrative hurdles for incoming public officers who must now finalize declarations before officially starting their roles.
The ruling is viewed by some as a landmark step toward transparency, aiming to prevent the “flagrant show of wealth” by public officers after taking office.
