Group Trains West African Journalists On Economic And Financial Crimes Reporting

The Inter-governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering In West Africa, GIABA has organised a 3 day regional training workshop on investigative journalism on economic and financial crimes reportage for Journalists in west africa.

The event which began on Wednesday is holding in Abuja, the Nigeria’s capital, has it’s participants drawn from Nigeria, The Gambia, Senegal,  Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Liberia.

The Director-General of GIABA,  Mr. Edwin Harris jr.  Said GIABA was leaving no stone unturned in its fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Mr Edwin said GIABA’s holistic approach to combating money laundering and terrorism recognizes the role of media., and it was in recognition of this role that the anti-money laundring body organizes the workshop.

“The media, particularly investigative journalists, play a crucial role in uncovering allegations of corruption, promoting good governance, attracting the sustained attention of law enforcement authorities and the public to the fight against financial and economic crimes,’ he said

Collaboration

He further said strong collaboration with media through sensitization and workshops which GIABA has been doing since 2009,  can enhance ECOWAS member’s State efforts and strengthen the engagement of media and other critical sectors  in the effective implementation of AML/CFT measures.

‘…it stresses the need for closer and more productive collaboration with the media, as you constitute one of the main sources of information and intelligence, both for political decision-makers and for the international information community, both for policy makers and the general public,” he added.

The 3 day workshop which will end on the August 4th began with Participants anticipating to be equipped with the knowledge of investigative journalism on economic and financial crime.

Confidence Okwuchi