COTONOU, BENIN: Over 30 investigative journalists have been trained by the regional group, Inter-Governmental Action Against Money Laundering In West Africa (GIABA) in Economic and Financial Crimes. The training took place from August 12-14, 2024, in Cotonou, Benin.
The three-day training brought together journalists from the 15 West African Countries to further learn and prepare them for the fight against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist activities in the sub-region.
GIABA hired professionals from around West Africa as facilitators for the training of the journalists which were drawn from Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone countries in West Africa.
During the training, the journalists were given additional and relevant knowledge relating to topics such as “Overview of GIABA, Understanding the role, mandate and mission of GIABA as a Regional initiative; Introduction to International AML/CFT Standards; Theoretical Framework of Investigative Journalism; Understanding Country MERs, AML/CFT Status and National Risk Assessment Framework; Ethics in Investigative Journalism; Use of ICT Tools in Investigative Journalism; Use of AML/CFT Terminologies in Writing Investigation Reports; Treatment of Sources in Investigative Journalism” and “Building Trust and Fostering Cooperation.”
The participants were also divided into seven groups which were tasked with topics, and thereafter, each group presented its work, according to the topics given.
At the close of the training, the participants submitted a communique to GIABA officials. A ‘network of investigative Journalists on anti-money laundering and economic crimes was formed.
At the opening of the training on August 12, a Representative of the Director General of GIABA, Timothy Melaye, stated that he considers the workshop very vital.
The journalists, he said, were trained to protect the economies of their various countries from the activities of money laundering and financing of terrorism in the sub-region.
He pointed out that journalists were now better equipped, to identify money laundering and ensuring the implementation of AML/CFT in their respective countries.
He said that the journalists were given knowledge that they can also share with others bordering on AML and CFT.
According to him, the training serves as springboard for the journalists to renew their commitment in the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism in the region.
At the end, the journalists, he disclosed, were to directly investigate and track down those who are involved in money laundering and financing of terrorism within the region, in their reportage.
He emphasized that there was no other time that the training of journalists on AML/CFT was needed than now.
Representing the Special Prosecutor of the Court Countering Economic Activities Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET), Amand Ronald Regan, told the journalists that they are specialized actors in the fight against economic crimes and financing of terrorism in the sub-region. “We need special players in this fight”, he stated.
The role of journalists in the fight, he said, was to help each member state on AML/CFT. The training he said would develop the capacity of the journalists.
He stated: “We hope you give life to this GIABA fight; we hope you give life to investigation of AML/CFT.”
Moderator Sikiratou Ahouansou Bada stated that the training would leave the journalists better and well prepared for their work. “This training will give you skills to do your work better, which is your calling.”
The training started on Monday, August 12, ended on Wednesday, August 14 2024, and the journalists returned to their respective countries on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
