By: Dominic Hlordzi
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine has charged religious leaders to support the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing by instituting strong governance measures such as internal audits and verification of the true identities of donors who support their religious activities. This, he explained, when done religiously, they will become true ethical stewards.
Dr. Ayine said this in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Director of Public Prosecution at the Office of the Attorney-General, Madam Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa at a National Sensitisation Seminar on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism for religious leaders and institutions in Accra.
The Seminar organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, (GIABA) was attended by Bishops, Pastors, Imams, Church administrators and other faith-based organisation leaders.
It seeks to empower the religious leaders with knowledge and tools to identify, prevent and report suspicious transactions and to establish internal mechanisms that protect their congregations and institutions from being misused for criminal purposes.
Dr. Ayine observed that the World faces increasingly complex financial crimes that transcends borders, sectors and even faith communities.
“In recent years, evidence has shown that terrorist financiers and criminal networks have increasingly sought to exploit charitable and religious institutions, organisations founded on trust, compassion and service as channels to disguise or transfer illicit funds.” He added.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice noted that faith-based institutions are sacred spaces meant to promote peace, compassion and righteousness, yet because of their community oriented nature and the high level of public trust they command, they may inadvertently be used to facilitate financial crimes when safeguards are weak or absent.
He said Ghana as a member of GIABA remains committed to implementing international standards on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the financing of Terrorism.
“Our Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 ( Act 1044) provides a comprehensive legal framework for combating illicit financial flows, including provision relating to the obligations of reporting entities, beneficial ownership transparency and sanctions for non-compliance. Together with the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1015)Together with the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1015), Ghana has built a robust architecture to enhance financial integrity and support international cooperation.” He stated.
Dr. Ayine commended GIABA for its leadership role in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing in ECOWAS.
He pointed out that combating money laundering and terrorism financing is not just a legal obligation but also a moral duty.
“It is about protecting our people, our faith and our nation from forces that seek to undermine peace and stability.”
He urged the Bishops, Pastors, Imams and all faith-based leaders to carry the lessons from the seminar into their daily practice in their respective congregations.
The Acting Principal Officer at GIABA’s Communication and Advocacy Unit, Mr. Timothy Melaye spoke on behalf of the Director General of GIABA Edwin Harris Jr.
Mr. Melaye said it is worrisome that over the years, there has been increase in perpetration of illicit income-generating crimes (known as predicate offences of money laundering) such as corruption, kidnapping, human and drug trafficking, amongst others, in the West African sub region.
“This is in addition to the high level of violent extremism and the obvious challenges associated with these vices. It is therefore important to engage and utilize the tremendous influence of religious leaders in addressing some of the ills ravaging our society.”
He explained that in promoting peaceful coexistence, the voice of religious leaders must be strongly heard against those ills ravaging our societies, especially violent extremism, terrorism, corruption, human trafficking, kidnapping and other predicate offenses.
Also, they must not only be heard, but must be seen to lead the way by actions and exemplary lifestyles.
Mr. Melaye said it is GIABA’s expectation that the seminar would be a springboard for a renewed commitment of all religious and opinion leaders to affirm their resolve to play their key roles in raising awareness and shaping the morals of their congregations and followers through the force of moral persuasive messages.
“If we must rid our societies of these wrongdoings, then, we must continue to stand as the shining light and examples which we are; we must resist all the negative influences and help in guiding the path of our followers in building a safe and secure society.” He stated.
He reiterated that this is not a task for the religious leaders alone, explaining that, GIABA is also interacting with and building the capacity of other stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions, the media, the youths and women groups and civil society organisations.
The Deputy CEO of Ghana’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Mr. Kofi Boakye outlined the functions and duties of FIC.
He referred to the Center’s recent report which indicates that Ghana continues to face risks when it comes to money laundering.
Mr. Boakye mentioned risks in real estate business and in mining particularly the gold business for laundering practices.
He also entreated the faith-based organizations and leaders to support the fight against illicit financial activities.
Mr. Boakye entreated them to adopt some of the messages and topics discussed at the seminar in crafting their sermons for the benefit of their congregations.
The religious leaders were tasked to take up the task of helping to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism among their congregations and in their communities.
GIABA is a specialized Institution of ECOWAS, as well as a FATF-style Regional Body (FSRB) for West Africa.
It was established in the year 2000 by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, with the mandate to protect the economies of member States from the laundering of the proceeds of crimes and combat terrorism financing (TF).
To this end, GIABA works to ensure that member States comply with acceptable International Standards on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT). As an FSRB, GIABA undertakes mutual evaluations – a peer review mechanism for assessing the level of technical compliance and effectiveness of member States’ AML/CFT systems with International Standards.
GIABA also conducts valuable researches and typologies exercises to identify the various Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing trends and methods in order to strengthen preventive and enforcement efforts.
