Asset declaration veritable tool for anti-corruption – Ex-Ghanaian president, Mahama

Former Ghanaian President, John Mahama has described the regime of assets declaration as a useful tool in the fight against corruption.

He stated this at the 53rd yearly conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, with the theme “Asset Valuation As a Global Anti-Corruption Tool- The Nigeria Experience” held in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Thursday.

He, however, noted that “in many cases, it is not utilized to a maximum effect.”

Mahama said asset declaration forms must be filled by the individual prospective public office holder, adding that: “in my country, Ghana, the individual is asked to list assets and properties they own,” such as houses, farms, vehicles, jewelry, among others and is required to assign values to each of those assets and properties.

“More often than not, the values assigned to these assets are either undervalued or overvalued,” he added.

Mahama charged Nigeria to constantly strive to improve and enforce existing global anti-corruption conventions designed to curtail the negative impacts of corruption on national economies.

He also urged Nigerians to support efforts of the government in the fight against corruption either in the public or private sectors, adding that “those who sign contracts documents that produce bad infrastructure contribute to the destruction of the country.”

Also speaking through his deputy, Kayode Alabi, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq urged the institution to partner with the government at all levels to strengthen their operation and contribute to the fight against corruption.

In his speech, President of the institution, JohnBull Amayevbo, described corruption as a serious phenomenon that affects economic growth and development of a country