Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo says Ghana risks turning critical public ethics into a political popularity contest unless President John Mahama’s newly launched Code of Conduct for appointees is turned into binding legislation.

“The document is good. Some areas add value. But I wish they would use those value additions, add them to the Code of Conduct bill that has already been prepared, and pass it into law,” Domelevo said on PM Express.

“It should not be something that guides public officers only during the Mahama administration.”

He warned that if the code remains merely an executive guideline, future leaders could easily discard it.

“When another person takes office, he or she may say, ‘No, I don’t respect this. I’m also bringing mine.’ I don’t think we need that. Let’s make it the law of the land.”

The former Auditor-General also took direct aim at the controversial gift policy in the new code, which allows public officials to accept gifts of up to ¢20,000.

“It’s a no-no,” Domelevo said bluntly. “We seem to like gifts too much. When you are employed in public office, you are remunerated. You are supposed to live on your salary, not gifts.”

Drawing from his own experience in international service, Domelevo said, “I worked at the World Bank. Our threshold was $50, not $100.

"I don’t know whether it’s been revised now, but when I was there, any gift above $50, you are not supposed to keep it. You surrender it.”

He echoed concerns raised by fellow panellist Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, who also criticised the ¢20,000 ceiling.

“Creating these windows and putting a ¢20,000 limit sends the wrong message. It creates space for abuse, for corruption. That’s not what we need.”

Mr Domelevo pointed to inconsistencies in the code’s asset declaration section as another example of where the document needs legal refining.

“If you go to page 30, they talk about jewellery. A minimum of ¢5 million? That’s a lot! I don’t even know if the house I live in is worth ¢5 million,” he said in disbelief.

“This is too high. And it’s not consistent with the law. Act 550 does not say anything like that.”

He concluded with a firm appeal to lawmakers and reform advocates to treat the code not as a temporary political tool, but as a constitutional foundation.

“This country needs a consistent, enforceable ethical standard that applies regardless of who is in power. That’s the only way we build integrity in our public service.”