Introduction:
Under the divine gaze
THE concept of accountability in Islam is deeply rooted in the belief in Allah’s omniscience and justice. Allah says: “And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him.
He knows whatever is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. There is not a grain within the darkness of the earth nor anything moist or dry but that it is [written] in a clear record.” Qur’an 6:59.
This verse is not merely poetic; it is a declaration of comprehensive divine surveillance everything, visible or hidden, spoken or thought, is known and recorded by Allah. Reinforcing this is: “Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” Qur’an 50:18.
These verses frame the Islamic worldview on accountability (hisab). In Islam, there is no deed however private or public that escapes divine record. Hence, believers are urged to live consciously under the gaze of Allah.
Moral Objectives:
Accountability as a
Divine Principle
The Islamic tradition teaches that every soul is individually accountable for its actions.
Accountability is not just legal; it is spiritual and moral. A case in point is the tragic story published in Graphic Online (July 14, 2025), where a lady, Constance Gyasi Nimako, withdrew GH¢ 800,000 wrongly deposited into her bank account and squandered it. She was later arrested and is now facing full force of the law, having refunded only part of the money.
This incident underscores a failure of personal integrity. Had she been spiritually grounded in the concept of Taqwa (God-consciousness) and accountability, her conscience would have overruled greed. Islamic governance is founded on the principle that every act must align with truth, trust,and transparency. Contentment Over
Covetousness: The
Prophetic Way
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said:
“Look at those who are less fortunate than you, and do not look at those who are above you, fothat is more likely to prevent you from belittling the favors Allah has bestowed upon you.” Sahih
Muslim, Hadith 2963.
This Hadith teaches contentment (qana’ah), which is key to moral restraint. People who chase worldly illusions often fall into corruption and dishonesty. The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) also encouraged: “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith
3375. Constant zikr (remembrance of Allah) instills discipline, humility, and a heightened awareness of divine accountability.
The Ultimate
Reckoning: Accountabil
ity in the Hereafter
In the Hereafter, every human will be questioned. The Prophet Mohammed stated:
“The feet of the son of Adam will not move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about five matters: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it, his wealth—how he earned it and how he spent it—and his knowledge and what he did with it.” Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith
2417.
Complementing this, Allah said: “On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done and all the evil it has done, it will wish that there were a great distance between itself and its evil.” Qur’an 3:30.
These reminders shape the spiritual psychology of the believer. Believers are self-regulating beings, guided by faith and fear of divine justice, while disbelievers often act recklessly due to the absence of this spiritual compass.
Divine Records: Qur’anic Description of Accountability
The Qur’an outlines a systematic and inescapable divine mechanism of accountability, which every human being will face in the Hereafter. This system is portrayed in graphic, vivid imagery leaving no room for ambiguity.
“And the record [of deeds] will be placed open, and you will see the criminals fearful of what is in it, and they will say, ‘Woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great but that ithas enumerated it?’ And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does not wrong anyone.” Surah Al-Kahf, 18:49.
This verse shows that on the Day of Judgment, each individual will confront a clear, comprehensive record of their life.
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” Surah Az-Zalzalah, 99:7–8.
These verses establish a fundamental principle in Islamic theology: every deed, no matter how minute, carries weight and will be presented in the court of Allah. There is no impunity in Allah’scourt; there is only justice based on truth. The Qur’an does not merely advise righteousness; it warns and prepares every soul for a day of divine audit.
“That Day, you will be exhibited [for judgment]; not hidden among you is anything concealed.”
Surah Al-Haqqah, 69:18.
These teachings are not only spiritual but also ethical frameworks that define the foundations of
Islamic civilisation. Scholars such as Amiri (2024) and Abu-Tapanjeh (2009) emphasise that Qur’anic accountability is the blueprint for both private morality and public governance in Islamic systems.
Institutional Accountability in Public Governance: The Ghanaian Context
In a democratic society like Ghana, public accountability is not merely a political courtesy it is a constitutional duty. Ghana’s legal framework embeds mechanisms that oblige leaders, particularly the President, to account to the people.
Constitutional Provision: Article 34(2) of the 1992 Constitution
“The President shall report to Parliament at least once a year all the steps taken by the Government to ensure the realization of the policy objectives contained in this Chapter and, in particular, the realization of basic human rights, a healthy economy, the right to good healthcare, education, and shelter.” 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Article 34(2).
This provision forms the legal basis for the State of the Nation Address (SONA). Delivered annually. The SONA is a report card of the government’s performance on matters affecting national development, including:
• Access to quality education
• Provision of universal healthcare
• Expansion of employment opportunities
• Assurance of human rights protections
• Delivery of economic justice and poverty alleviation
By this act, the President becomes answerable to Parliament and, by extension, to every citizen, ensuring transparency and trust in governance.
Some Acts and Statutory Mechanisms for Public Sector Accountability in Ghana
Several statutory bodies and legal instruments reinforce the principles of transparency and accountability in Ghana. Key among them are:
1. Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). This Act ensures that public funds are managed efficiently, transparently, and with strict financial discipline.
2. Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663 as amended). This Act sets out the rules for public procurement and seeks to prevent misappropriation of public funds.
3. Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) Act, 2011 (Act 815). This Act establishes
PIAC as an independent body to monitor and evaluate the management of petroleum revenues.
4. Auditor-General’s Mandate (Articles 187–188 of the 1992 Constitution). The Auditor-General audits the accounts of all public offices and submits reports to Parliament.
5. Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) Act, 2010 (Act 804). EOCO investigates and prosecutes economic and financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and misapplication of public funds.
Theological and Civic Convergence: A Divine Model of Accountability
The Qur’anic model of accountability calls upon leaders to serve as stewards, not owners of public resources:
“Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice…” Qur’an 4:58
Hence, accountability is not just a constitutional duty it is a spiritual obligation. Leaders, ministers, teachers, health workers, and civil servants are vicegerents of Allah on earth (Qur’an 2:30) and must serve with integrity, fairness, and humility.
In conclusion, Islam’s emphasis on accountability is not confined to the Hereafter. It extends to world leadership, governance, and social justice. As Ghanaians, both religious and secular mechanisms converge to demand truth, transparency, accountability, and responsibility from all those entrusted with power.
Let this admonition inspire citizens to demand justice and leaders to fear God for on the Day of Judgment, none can escape the record that leaves nothing small or great unaccounted for. Thank you.
The writer is Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imam, Certified Counsellor & Governance Expert
BY IMAM ALHAJI SAEED ABDULAI