Regional leaders and top government officials from across West Africa have called for renewed commitment, unity, and pragmatic action in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other forms of financial crime, as the Second Extraordinary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Ministerial Committee convened in Accra on Friday.
By Chimezie Godfrey
Regional leaders and top government officials from across West Africa have called for renewed commitment, unity, and pragmatic action in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other forms of financial crime, as the Second Extraordinary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Ministerial Committee convened in Accra on Friday.
The meeting, hosted at The Palms by Eagles Hotel, brought together high-level delegates, including ministers of finance and justice from GIABA member states, development partners, and intelligence and security agencies.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, emphasized the growing threat posed by illicit financial flows and violent extremism in the region.
“This session comes at a time of serious regional challenges,” Gana stated. “The threats posed by money laundering, terrorist financing, and criminal economies transcend borders. GIABA’s mandate is more relevant today than ever before.”
He added that political will, strong institutions, and a coordinated strategy remain key to reversing the trend, while stressing the importance of addressing underlying issues such as weak governance and endemic corruption.
The ECOWAS official also touched on the recent political developments surrounding the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, describing it as a test of the bloc’s unity.
“Political divorce must never become social, economic, or security disengagement,” he said. “Our response must be rooted in dialogue, trust, and the principle of a shared destiny.”
In her welcome address, Ghana’s Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, acknowledged the complex security and governance challenges confronting parts of West Africa. She urged GIABA and its partners to be both pragmatic and forward-looking.
“We must ensure our regional architecture for combating money laundering and terrorist financing remains inclusive and resilient,” she said. “Even in times of political transition, our institutions must hold firm in protecting the integrity of our economies.”
The Vice President also reaffirmed Ghana’s support for deepening regional cooperation through robust intelligence sharing and enhanced capacity-building.
Chairing the session, Hon. Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance and new Chair of the GIABA Ministerial Committee, outlined key priorities for the regional body moving forward.
“We must shift our focus from mere technical compliance to demonstrable effectiveness,” Bangura said. “This means stronger cross-border coordination, targeted training for financial authorities, and real-time intelligence sharing.”
He also lauded the efforts of his predecessor, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, for his leadership and pledged to continue building consensus among member states.