Various
civil society organizations (CSOs) in West Africa have been equipped to help
deal with corrupt elements in the region to guarantee a better society where
all forms of economic and financial crimes like money laundering and terrorism
financing will be reduced to its barest minimum.
The
two-day regional sensitization workshop for CSOs on Anti-Money Laundering and
Counter-Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) organised by the Intergovernmental Action
Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) was held in the
Senegalese capital of Dakar on 6 and 7 August 2012.
The
CSOs were capacitised and empowered to take ownership of the fight against
money laundering and terrorism financing.
Speaking on the occasion, the
director general of GIABA, Dr Abdulahi Shehu, said the civil
society, as a catalyst for change and
promotion of good governance, has a big role to play in building viable legal
and legislative frameworks to fight crimes and promote accountability.
“It is imperative for CSOs to know the
specific contribution they can and should make in order to surmount the threat
of money laundering as well as the emergence of financing of terrorism and
enhance public understanding, attitudes and references,” he said.
