The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has cleared the Board Chairman of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Richard Kwame Asante, of allegations that he failed to declare his assets as required by law.
In a decision dated February 24, 2026 CHRAJ ruled that Mr. Richard Kwame Asante complied with the assets declaration provisions under Article 286 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550).
The complaint was filed in November 2025 by journalist Wilberforce Asare, who alleged that Mr Asante was among a number of public office holders who had not submitted their declarations of assets and liabilities.
The petition was based on information obtained from the Auditor-General through a Right to Information request.
However, following a review of evidence from the Ghana Audit Service, CHRAJ found that Mr Asante had submitted his declaration on November 11, 2025 nine days before the complaint was lodged.
According to the Commission’s findings, Mr. Richard Kwame Asante was appointed and sworn in as MIIF Board Chairman on June 3, 2025.
Section 1(4) of Act 550 requires public office holders to declare their assets before assuming office or within six months of taking up the position.
CHRAJ determined that the deadline for Mr Asante to file his declaration was December 2, 2025, six months after his appointment. His submission on November 11, 2025, therefore, fell within the legally permitted timeframe.
In its ruling, the Commission concluded that the respondent had complied with both constitutional and statutory requirements, describing the complaint as unmeritorious.
CHRAJ also referenced its previous decisions on assets declaration matters, stressing that non-compliance must amount to an outright failure to submit a declaration without reasonable excuse to constitute a punishable breach.
The Commission noted that the law expressly allows a six-month window after assumption of office for declarations to be made. Since MrRichard Kwame Asante filed within that period, no violation had occurred at the time the complaint was submitted.
In its final decision, signed by Commissioner Dr Joseph Whittal, CHRAJ dismissed the complaint in its entirety and commended Mr Asante for cooperating with the investigation.
The ruling effectively brings closure to the matter and affirms that the MIIF Board Chairman met the constitutional requirements governing assets declaration for public office holders.
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