Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has raised serious concerns over Ghana’s lack of a comprehensive register for state assets, warning that this gap undermines transparency, accountability, and effective public financial management.
He noted that the absence of a centralized asset inventory has led to widespread issues, including the misuse, neglect, and in some instances, the unlawful occupation and sale of public property. Dr. Forson described the situation as troubling and called for urgent measures to correct it.
The Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of a National Asset Management Working Committee in Accra. The newly formed committee has been tasked with identifying and accounting for all government assets, ensuring their efficient use, and preventing further mismanagement.
Chaired by Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko, the committee will lead a national effort to audit existing assets before new acquisitions are considered. It includes key officials from various ministries and government bodies, such as:
- Abigail Naa Odoi – Deputy Director, Office of the President
- Edwin Nkrumah – Assistant Chief Estate Manager, Ministry of Works & Housing
- Dr. Sylvia Adusu – Chief State Attorney, Attorney-General’s Department
- Mavis Asare Donkor – Director of General Administration, Ministry of Education
- Frank Raji – Director of General Administration, Ministry of Health
- Theophilus Okine – Director of Procurement, Ministry of Defence
- Dr. Gideon Asamoah Tetteh – Director of Finance, Ministry of the Interior
- Erya Nutsugah – Director of PPBME, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
- Dela Kemevor – Director of General Administration, Ministry of Local Government
- Walter A. Adabere – Acting Director of Administration, Office of the Administrator-General
- Dr. Gad Asowoe Akwensivie (Esq.) – Acting Administrator, Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands
- Anthony Mallen Ntiador – Acting Deputy Exec. Secretary, Lands Commission
- James Bondzie – Principal Estate Manager, Public Works Department
- Millicent Atuguba – Acting GM for Operations, SIGA
The committee will work closely with relevant institutions to develop a centralized, digitized asset database and propose systems to improve accountability and ensure long-term sustainability in the management of public properties.
