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More than half of the lawmakers in Ghana’s current Parliament have failed to declare their assets and liabilities in breach of major anti-corruption legislation.
153 out of the 276 Members of Parliament, including some leaders of the House, have failed to fulfil the key constitutional requirement meant to ensure that public officeholders do not use their offices to enrich themselves.
An analysis of data The Fourth Estate obtained from the Audit Service, and verified twice, through a Right to Information request, shows that approximately 55 % of MPs have not complied with the mandatory asset declaration requirement as of December 2025.
Of these defaulters, 81 (54%) are from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), 68 (45%) are from the opposition NPP. Two independent MPs have also defaulted.
The data also highlight a higher rate of noncompliance among newer lawmakers, as 87 defaulters (58%) are first-term MPs. Among continuing MPs, 38 are serving their second term; 13 are in their third term; 11 are in their fourth term, and one each in their fifth, sixth, and eighth terms.
Notable names among the defaulters include the immediate past Defence Minister and MP for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, who is serving his sixth term, and veteran MP for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, who is in his eighth term.
The non-compliance extends to parliamentary leadership. Five House leaders have failed to declare: on the NDC side, Deputy Majority Leader Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor; on the NPP side, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, and Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
In 2022, The Fourth Estate revealed that 180 MPs had failed to declare their assets.
Following that exposé, some leaders, including then-Deputy Majority Leader, Alexandar Afenyo-Markin and former Deputy Minority Leader, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, immediately complied.
Compliance in the Seventh and Eighth Parliaments (2017–2021) was dismal with only 20 MPs fully declared (a 7.2% compliance rate), with 129 making no declaration and 126 making only partial declarations.
Civil society worries
Executive Director of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Beauty Emefa Nartey, told The Fourth Estate that the persistent non-compliance is the result of weak enforcement.
“The reality is that when eligible declarants perceive little to no consequences for failing to comply with the asset declaration regime, they naturally do not take the process seriously,” she said.
The anti-graft campaigner called for the urgent passage of the Conduct of Public Officers Bill, which would introduce robust verification, clear enforcement mechanisms, and consistent sanctions.
“Ultimately, we should build a culture where asset declaration is embraced as a civic duty, and not as a burden. This is essential for strengthening integrity and public trust in governance,” Ms Nartey added.
What the law says
According to the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, public officers (including MPs) are required to declare their assets within six months of assuming office and within six months after Parliament is dissolved.
“The declaration shall be made by the public officer – (a) before taking office; (b) at the end of every four years; and (c) at the end of the term of his office and shall, in any event, be submitted not later than 6 months of the occurrence of any of the events specified in this subsection,” the law says.
Legislators, like other public office holders covered by the law, are required to declare their assets, including land, houses, vehicles, securities, bank balances, and jewellery.
The full list of defaulting MPs is below
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