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By: Samuel Asamoah Reporting from Guinea Bissau
The Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Dr. Edwin Harris Jr., has urged journalists to raise the bar in reporting on money laundering and terrorist financing, warning that weak and inaccurate coverage undermines regional efforts to curb economic crimes.
Opening a three-day Regional Training on Investigative Journalism in Economic and Financial Crimes in Bissau, Dr. Harris expressed concern over what he described as “poor coverage of AML/CFT issues, lack of due diligence in preparing articles, and, in some cases, misinformation.”
He emphasized the central role of the media in shaping accountability and transparency. “The fight against the darkness of money laundering will only be won through the powerful beacon of light that journalists represent,” Harris declared. “The media, particularly investigative journalists, are our strategic allies in building a transparent, safer, and more prosperous West Africa.”
Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Social Communication, Maria Conceição Evória, reinforced the call, noting that investigative reporting is an “ethical commitment that attacks what is untouchable.” She acknowledged, however, that impactful reporting requires financial support, especially at a time when journalists are overwhelmed with information. “To make sense of the complex mechanisms of money laundering and corruption, journalists must remain clear-headed, educational, and courageous,” she said.
Justino Sá, President of Guinea-Bissau’s National Financial Information Processing Unit (CENTIF), said the responsibility for tackling money laundering cannot rest solely with governments and regulators. “In an interconnected world where illicit financial flows circulate freely and weaken our economies, journalists must show courage and quality in uncovering the networks behind AML/CFT,” he stated.
Representing the Finance Ministry, Secretary of State for the Treasury Mamadou Baldé underlined the strategic purpose of the training: to equip journalists with tools for ethical and responsible reporting to defend the “threatened fundamental rights of our people” against corruption, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
The training, organized by GIABA, brings together 40 journalists from across the ECOWAS region. It is being facilitated by prominent experts, including Ivorian journalist Lassine Fofana, Nigerian academic Abigail Odozi Ogwezzy-Ndisika, senior GIABA officer Timothy Melaye, and Guinea-Bissau magistrate Hermenegildo Pereira, former director of the Judicial Police.
