GIABA organizes sensitization seminar on AML/CFT for journalists

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), is to organise a sensitisation seminar on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) for journalists from English-speaking countries of West Africa from June 28th to 29th, in Banjul, The Gambia.

A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday and copied to Ghana News Agency said the two-day seminar targeted at economic and financial reporters from Anglophone ECOWAS Member States was the fifth edition of such training seminar on AML/CFT for media practitioners from ECOWAS countries.

It said the objectives of the seminar were to expose journalists to the knowledge of AML/CFT framework; assist participants to produce reports, articles and features of quality on AML/CFT issues; and improve the network of journalists who would assist GIABA in disseminating information on the AML/CFT systems in West Africa.

"Specifically, the seminar is to build strong alliance with the media for effective dissemination of AML/CFT messages and to improve the network among journalists in promoting the implementation of effective AML/CFT regimes in the Region, "it added.

The decision to strengthen the capacity of media professionals in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing is justified by the fact that the media are an efficient means to reach a wide audience about the deleterious effects of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The training would be facilitated by experienced and highly competent media experts on AML/CFT, including GIABA faculty through plenary sessions, case studies, experience-sharing and syndicate group sessions.

At the end of the seminar, it is expected that there would be an improvement in the implementation of effective AML/CFT measures in member states and better reporting on economic and financial crimes related matters.**