Public office not for solving “earthly problems” - Prempeh

A Professor of law, Henry Kwasi Prempeh has admonished Ghanaian public office holders and would-be ones to diffuse the erroneous impression that being in power in Africa is the safest mode to amassing wealth.

Speaking at an anti-corruption event organised by OccupyGhana Thursday, Prof Prempeh stressed the need for public servants to publicly declare their assets before and after their tenure, as a means to checking the alarming spate of corruption.

“Public office is not a place to solve earthly material problems,” he said. “Public office is not opportunity to correct personal financial deficits.”

Prempeh decried the level of corruption in Ghana, especially when the economy is facing a lot of challenges. He said public declaration of assets helps put public office holders on their toes as well as boosts transparency.

He therefore called on public figures to see themselves as “servants and not masters” and thereby serve the citizens wholeheartedly.

“People who want to serve must do so genuinely, that is why we call it public servants not masters… Tell us how much you have, what do you have while coming? And then over the years, when you leave, tell us how much you have. It is not for you to make hidden asset declaration. It is important as citizens to seize control of what it means to be a citizen,” Prempeh stated.