GIABA D-G Mam Cherno Jallow taps into media expertise in fighting money laundering, terrorist financing at regional workshop

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, officially opened a three-day Regional Training of Journalists on Investigative Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes in West Africa at the Palms and Eagles Hotel in the heart of Ghana's Airport City, Accra.

Delivering the keynote address, the Director General of GIABA, Mam Cherno Jallow, who was represented by Timothy Melaye, Acting Principal Programme Officer of Communications and Advocacy at GIABA, highlighted the evolving threats of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing in the region.

Mr. Jallow said he was delighted to be in Accra for the training, and on behalf of GIABA expressed deep gratitude to the authorities of the Republic of Ghana for their warm welcome and hospitality to the institution at all times.

He also recognized the presence of Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations of the Republic of Ghana, and commended Ghana's authorities for their firm commitment to the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

According to the Director General, Ghana's actions bear testimony to a strong political will and a clear commitment to complying with international standards, while actively contributing to the stability and prosperity of the ECOWAS Community.

Mr. Jallow extended special thanks to Mr. Albert Kwadwo Twum Boafo of the Financial Intelligence Centre of Ghana and his team for their invaluable support in organizing the event, describing the collaboration as a perfect illustration of synergy between national and regional institutions.

Addressing the gathering which included national correspondents, representatives of supervisory ministries, regional institutions, GIABA experts and the media, Mr. Jallow warned that the West African region continues to face evolving threats related to Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing.

"These phenomena undermine the effective implementation of AML/CFT/CPF measures. Key vulnerabilities include high-level corruption resulting in illicit financial flows, largely from the extractive sector, the rise of terrorism-related activities, the misuse of virtual assets, drug trafficking, and the weak regulatory oversight of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions," he stated.

The GIABA Director General stressed that GIABA is not only a witness to, but also the architect of, a major transformation in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa.

He said the fight requires serious awareness raising, citizens mobilization and collective ownership, and that is where the role of the media is extremely important as GIABA works to strengthen mechanisms to combat all forms of financial crime that weaken economies.

"But more than that, GIABA is charting a course for the future: a safer future, a more resilient future, a more prosperous future for our member States and our People," Mr. Jallow declared.

He noted that GIABA works through structured strategic plans, particularly the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan aligned with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which he said has enabled the institution to achieve remarkable results across the region.

On legal and institutional frameworks, Mr. Jallow said GIABA has helped bring regulatory frameworks in line with FATF standards and facilitated the creation of Financial Intelligence Units in almost all Member States, most of which were non-existent at GIABA's inception.

In the area of capacity building, he disclosed that GIABA has provided training for thousands of key stakeholders including magistrates, judges, lawyers, investigators, customs officers, bankers, insurers, capital market operators, regulators, civil society, religious leaders, youth, women groups and journalists.

He recalled that since 2009, GIABA has been training journalists in all ECOWAS member states, a model that has attracted global attention, including a presentation by GIABA's communication team at the Eurasian Group (EAG) Plenary in Moscow, Russia in June 2025, where other FATF-Style Regional Bodies are learning and adapting GIABA's media engagement.

On financial transparency, Mr. Jallow said GIABA has championed beneficial ownership disclosure and followed up with countries to establish public registers of ultimate beneficial owners of companies in order to reduce grey areas exploited by criminals.

He added that in terms of cooperation, GIABA has strengthened partnerships with the FATF, European Union, German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), African Development Bank and other development agencies, and has successfully completed the first and second rounds of mutual evaluation of its member states, while commencing the preliminary component of the third round peer review process.

"The fight against money laundering and terrorist financing cannot be fully effective without the active involvement of media, and particularly of you, the investigative journalists, who are our strategic allies," Mr. Jallow told participants.

He said journalists' role in keeping watch, raising awareness and investigation places them at the heart of the push for transparency and accountability, as they help to uncover illegal practices, alert the public, shape public opinion, challenge decision-makers and strengthen governance.

Mr. Jallow outlined that the three-day training at the Palms And Eagles Hotel aims to sharpen skills in reporting on economic and financial crime, build a strong alliance between GIABA and the media to better disseminate AML/CFT information, share regional initiatives, equip journalists with modern investigative techniques and consolidate a network of media professionals committed to transparency.

He urged participants to make the most of the training to strengthen their capacities, lamenting that there continues to be poor reporting of AML/CFT issues, a lack of due diligence in crafting stories and to some extent misinformation among journalists.

"GIABA remains firmly committed to continuing its efforts, in synergy with Member States and the media, to build a region that is resilient to the threats of money laundering and terrorist financing," he assured.

Concluding his address, Mr. Jallow reiterated: "The fight against money laundering and terrorist financing will only be won if light prevails over darkness, and you, journalists, are one of our most powerful beacons."