By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
At the 29th Ministerial Committee Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Against Money Laundering in West Africa, held at the New Brookfields Hotel on November 24th 2024.
President Julius Maada Bio emphasized Sierra Leone’s dedication to combating money laundering and terrorism financing across the region.
The event brought together key stakeholders from various West African nations to discuss collective strategies and foster collaboration in the fight against financial crimes.
In his opening remarks, President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s alignment with global standards established by the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He stated, “I have demonstrated our unwavering commitment in the fight against money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism by aligning our policies to meet global standards.”
President Bio’s comments come amidst growing concerns about the impact of financial crimes on regional stability and development.
By reinforcing its commitment, Sierra Leone aims to build on the progress made as a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
His Excellency called for enhanced cooperation among ECOWAS member states, urging attendees to deepen collaboration to effectively tackle these pressing issues. “We must build on the gains we have made as ECOWAS member states by deepening our collaboration to combat money laundering and terrorism financing,” he urged.
This meeting underscores the critical need for West African nations to unite in the face of financial crimes that threaten economic stability and security.
By fostering a unified approach, leaders are hopeful that they can strengthen regional frameworks and implement effective measures to deter money laundering and terrorism financing.
Conclusively , as the fight against these financial threats continues, Sierra Leone’s commitment may serve as a catalyst for broader regional cooperation and the establishment of more stringent measures to safeguard the integrity of financial systems in West Africa.