Africa-Press – Gambia. The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has commenced a three-day regional training in Guinea Bissau for journalists on investigating economic and financial crimes.
The workshop brings together 40 journalists from ECOWAS member states, drawn from print, electronic, and online media, to strengthen investigative reporting skills on money laundering and terrorist financing.
According to Timothy Melaye, GIABA’s Assistant Principal Officer for Communication, the training seeks to deepen collaboration between the media and GIABA in raising awareness of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) issues. It also provides journalists with practical techniques for information gathering and investigative reporting.
“The media plays critical roles in promoting good governance, ensuring accountability in the use of state resources, and exposing corruption. Journalists serve as anti-corruption crusaders, and their role in disseminating information on money laundering and terrorist financing cannot be overemphasized,” Melaye noted.
He further explained that while AML/CFT implementation has traditionally been led by law enforcement and regulatory agencies, the growing complexity of financial crimes calls for broader stakeholder involvement, including the media, to ensure a holistic and effective approach.
GIABA hopes the training will strengthen networks of journalists across the region and foster a culture of investigative journalism in tackling economic and financial crimes.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
