ECOWAS Journalists End Money Laundering Seminar In Monrovia

The Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) on Friday ended a two-day sensitization seminar on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), with a call on journalists to be ethical in their reporting to avoid possibility of libelous articles. The seminar that brought together 25 participants from the five Anglophone ECOWAS Speaking Countries, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone focused on building the capacity of media practitioners and also acquainted them about regional initiatives on AML/CFT framework, especially the mandate of GIABA in its sustained efforts to combat ML/TF in the West African sub-region.

GIABA is a specialized ECOWAS institution as well as a FATF- Style Regional Body (FRSB) established in 2000 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS with the mandate to protect the national economies and financial systems of member States from abuse and the laundering of proceeds for crimes.

During the seminar, journalists were briefed on work of AML/CFT framework, as it relates to the role of GIABA as a Regional Initiative, Methodogy and Techniques of Investigative Journalism: The case of MLITF, and the challenges and risks linked to an ML/TF investigation amongst others.

The ECOWAS journalists at the end of the seminar recommended that Journalists establish a strong network of journalists in the member States to disseminate Anti-Money Laundering and Counter- Financing of Terrorism (AMLJCFT) issues and to safeguard the interest and work of journalists.

The Journalists further recommended that they collaborate with other organizations or stakeholders involved in the fight against the ML/FT menace and that they should undertake investigative work on AML/CFT issues and ask all critical questions from authorities on suspicion of laundering and terrorism activities.

In order to enhance their work professionally, the Journalists agreed that they should frequently visit the GIABA and FATF website to keep abreast of AML/CFT issues and that capacity building activities such as the seminar should be held frequently to broaden journalists' understanding on AML/CFT regimes. They also recommended that Journalists exert every effort to build a strong network to facilitate information.

The journalists commended the Director General of GIABA, Dr Abdullahi Shehu and his team for the opportunity that afforded them to improve their understanding on issues relating to Anti Money Laundering and Combating Financing Terrorism.

The seminar was facilitated by GIABA Secretariat Head of Programmes and Project, Dr. Buno Nduka, and two Resource Persons, Mr. Karim Okanla in Benin and Mr. Isaac Massaquoi of sierra Leone.

Source: The Inquirer