Youth must stop mad rush for wealth -AG
THE MINISTER for Justice, Martin Amidu, has called on the country's youth to be circumspect in their mad rush to illegally acquire wealth, and urged them to report any such phenomena to the security agencies for the necessary actions. 'Today's youth are impatient for success, and easily throw ethics to the dogs in the mad quest for social acclaim and recognition.
Society too, hasbecome less critical, in fact non-critical, of the means of wealth creation and acquisition, thus, opening the sluice gates for crime and immorality,' he emphasised last Thursday, at the Fourth Inter-governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA's) open forum in Accra. The forum, which was organised for the youth to sensitise them on anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in the sub-region and beyond, was themed;'The Role of the Youth in Combating Transnational Organised Crimes.' The Teachers' Hall in Accra was filled by very agile youth, and other well-meaning Ghanaians, who had volunteered to help in the eradication of crimes associated with money.
The GIABA was established in December 2000 by the authority of Heads of States and governments of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to ensure the adoption of standards against money laundering, and the financing of terrorism, in accordance with acceptable international standards and practices, including the FATF 40+9 recommendations. Its other mandates are to facilitate the adoption and implementation by member states, of measures against ML and FT, considering specific regional peculiarities and conditions, organise self-evaluations and mutual evaluations to determine the efficacy of measures adopted, and so on. Mr.
Amidu continued that while those who commit such transnational organised crimes were advanced technologically. 'We have to work doubly harder and faster if we hope to achieve our aim of actually overcoming our adversary.'
In addition, the Minister indicated: 'Our youth have the knowledge and energy, and should be educated to stand up to our collective task of enforcing the legislation that outlaws money laundering and terrorism financing.'
Meanwhile, the GIABA had earlier on, given Ghana a score of '2 Compliant' out of 49 recommendations on the enactment of appropriate laws commensurate with international best practice. The entity assessed Ghana's compliance with the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) recommendations on Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).
Mr. Amidu noted further that the government was committed and determined to fighting the canker, calling on the people of Ghana, especially the youth, to cooperate in the crusade.
'This is why the participation of the youth in this forum is very important to me.
Let me assure the youth that the government will stop at nothing to be their partner in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing,' he added. The Director-General of the GIABA, Abdullahi Shehu, also noted that money laundering and the financing of terrorism had linkages to corruption, and it was for this reason that West Africa states should act together, in order to combat these threats.
'This has to be done, not only as part of protecting the world economies, including Africa's, against criminal infiltration, but also to enhance the rule of law, deepen regional integration, and maintain regional peace and security,' he said. Unless actions are taken now to avert the trend,
Dr. Shehu pointed out that the ECOWAS states would possibly, come under serious threat of social dislocation or worse. According to him, the GIABA has been operational since 2005, and had been able to work assiduously to help its member states build and consolidate systems to control money laundering and the financing of terrorism, coupled with corrupt practices.
In June 2006, GIABA received recognition as a Financial Action Task Force (FATF), while in June 2010, it was granted an associate membership status of the FATF, the global body, responsible for setting standards for the fight against these social menaces.
Dr. Shehu added that GIABA had been linked with ECOWAS' Vision 2020, which includes the adoption of a four-year strategic plan, from 2011 to 2014. The plan includes also, the execution of mandate using results-based management approach through six strategic objectives, as well as working with the member states in the design of programmes.