Parliament will soon begin drafting a bill to legalize lifestyle audits as part of efforts to combat corruption tied to unexplained wealth, Speaker Alban Bagbin announced on Monday, June 9.
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Addressing lawmakers in Parliament, Mr. Bagbin said the upcoming legislation would give state institutions the authority to investigate individuals, particularly public officials and politically exposed persons, whose lifestyles appear inconsistent with their declared incomes.
“I’m receiving a lot of input to process legislation on lifestyle audits,” he said. “We will legislate and stop this impunity of people flaunting ill-gotten wealth in the face of poor Ghanaians.”
According to the Speaker, the initiative has received support from top officials, including Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and several civil society actors who have long called for tougher anti-corruption tools.
The announcement follows renewed calls from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for stronger legal frameworks to tackle illicit enrichment.
OSP Pushes for Broader Powers
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, speaking at the West Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue in Accra, echoed the need for reforms. He advocated for constitutional changes that would allow lifestyle audits and asset seizures, even without a criminal conviction.
“Investigations and prosecutions are slow, expensive, and often unproductive due to entrenched secrecy and wealth layering,” Agyebeng explained.
He proposed a “reverse onus” approach, where individuals must prove the legitimacy of their assets or face forfeiture.
“Prevention is always better than cure. Lifestyle audits are among the most cost-effective ways to expose and deter corruption,” he said.
As public pressure mounts, Speaker Bagbin’s move signals a critical shift in the country’s anti-graft strategy. The proposed bill, once tabled, could reshape how Ghana addresses illicit wealth and corruption in high places.
