GIABA Is To Organize A Regional Training Workshop On Investigative Journalism On Economic And Financial Crimes

The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will organize a regional training workshop on investigative journalism on economic and financial crimes from 12 to 14 August 2024 in Cotonou, Benin.

The objectives of the workshop are to build a robust alliance with media in a concerted manner for effective dissemination of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) issues; to inform media about regional AML/CFT initiatives, in particular GIABA's mandate; to enable trained journalists to acquire information research and investigation techniques; to foster, within media, an investigative culture on money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/FT) practices; to enhance the journalists network that would promote better dissemination of information on AML/CFT standards.

Fighting economic and financial crime requires concerted, coordinated, cooperative and complementary efforts by stakeholders. Considering the scope of issues at stake, and since 2009, GIABA broadened its stakeholders set to include media, particularly investigative journalists who play a crucial role in uncovering allegations of corruption and in the area of fighting impunity as well as in promoting good governance.

During this 3-day event, participants will acquaint themselves with GIABA mandate, regional AML/CFT initiatives and in particular on information gathering and ML/TF investigation techniques. This workshop will also be a platform for exchanges, discussions and experience sharing within the network of journalists with a view to better disseminating information on AML/CFT devices.

The training will be facilitated by experienced AML/CFT media experts and GIABA faculty through presentations, case studies, experience sharing, etc.

Ultimately, participants are expected to write AML/CFT-related articles, improve processing of information on economic and financial crime, and persist to raise awareness on the nefarious effects of ML/TF After Abidjan (Cocirc;te d'Ivoire) in 2010 and 2022, Cotonou (Benin) in 2011 and Monrovia (Liberia) in 2011 and 2017, Praiuml;a (Cabo Verde) in 2012, Saly (Senegal) in 2017, Accra (Ghana) in 2022, the city of Cotonou is once again hosting the 2024 edition, which will bring together thirty-five (35) public and private media practitioners (TV, radio, print and online media) from ECOWAS Member States.