Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has raised concerns regarding the GHC20,000 gift limit set forth in the newly introduced Code of Conduct for political appointees.
He indicated that this amount may be excessively high and advocated for a careful reassessment to improve accountability in public service.
In a recent interview, Mr. Domelevo recognized the Code as a commendable effort to foster professionalism and ethical conduct within public service.
Nevertheless, he stressed the necessity of revisiting specific clauses, especially those concerning gifts. He remarked, ‘This is a commendable beginning. I find considerable clarity in outlining the responsibilities of a minister.
I am pleased to see the guidelines on gift acceptance, but I believe the threshold is excessively high. GHC 20,000 is indeed too much, exceeding 1,000 dollars.’
Domelevo drew on his experience at the World Bank, where the permissible limit was considerably lower, and proposed that the newly established threshold warrants further scrutiny.
‘During my tenure at the World Bank, the limit was set at 50 dollars. Any gift valued above $50 had to be surrendered; it was not permissible to keep it.
In contrast, we are discussing a threshold of 1,000 dollars, specifically 20,000 Ghana cedis, which I consider too high,’ he contended.
Domelevo’s remarks come in the wake of the new Code of Conduct for political appointees, which was unveiled by President John Dramani Mahama on May 5.
This Code seeks to encourage ethical leadership and decorum in governance, allowing ministers and other appointees to accept gifts worth up to GHC20,000.
Any gifts surpassing this limit must be reported to the Cabinet during the appointee’s term and must be returned upon exiting office unless the President provides explicit consent to keep them.
