The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has pushed back against proposals for new legislation to introduce lifestyle audits in Ghana, insisting that current legal and institutional frameworks already provide the tools necessary to tackle corruption.

His remarks come in response to comments by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who recently announced plans to draft a bill that would formalise lifestyle audits as part of Ghana’s anti-corruption strategy.

According to the Speaker, such legislation would mark a major step in curbing illicit wealth and strengthening public accountability.

But speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Baffour Awuah warned against duplicating legal mandates through new laws, arguing it could lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and politicisation.

“I have always believed that anything that supports the fight against corruption should be encouraged. There can never be too many tools in that fight,” he said. “But we must be careful not to create politically motivated or duplicative laws and institutions. Instead, let’s strengthen what we already have,” he said.

The MP maintained that state institutions like the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) already have the authority to investigate suspicious wealth accumulation, actions that, in effect, constitute lifestyle audits.

“When the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) audits someone, they are exercising a mandate granted to them under the law. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) also has the authority to investigate suspicious financial behaviour. That is already a lifestyle audit in action.”

He cited recent instances where the FIC secured court orders to freeze bank accounts due to unexplained activity, arguing such cases clearly show that lifestyle audits are already happening within the current legal framework.

“If someone’s bank activity doesn’t match their declared income, the FIC steps in. That’s not a guess it’s an existing process. If we didn’t already have this path, then what would the FIC be doing? Every constitutionally established institution already has investigative powers that allow them to dig deep and that includes lifestyle-related investigations.”

Mr. Baffour Awuah further reminded the public that while the Constitution protects the right to own property, that right is not absolute.

“Your right to property is protected but it can be restricted. Especially when there’s a need to investigate a crime, or even to prevent one. That’s clearly stated in the constitution.”

For the Manhyia South legislator, the push for a dedicated lifestyle audit law raises more questions than answers. He urged policymakers to focus on enforcing current laws and resourcing existing institutions instead of creating new layers of legislation.

“If all these institutions already have the power to conduct lifestyle audits under existing laws, then what exactly are we trying to achieve by passing a new one?” he questioned.