The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has underscored the critical role of Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) in preventing money laundering and terrorism financing, describing religious institutions as indispensable partners in promoting transparency and integrity across society.
This call was made at a two-day national sensitisation seminar in Accra, jointly organised by GIABA and Ghana’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), aimed at engaging religious leaders and institutions on how to protect their congregations from being exploited by criminal networks.
The seminar brought together leaders from Christian and Islamic communities to deliberate on topics including the abuse of religious organisations for money laundering and terrorism financing, religious institutions as anti-corruption allies, and strategies for promoting tolerance and preventing violent extremism.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecution, said religious institutions—built on trust and moral guidance—were increasingly being targeted by criminal financiers seeking legitimacy for illicit funds.
“Faith-based institutions are sacred spaces meant to nurture peace and compassion,” she said. “However, their trusted status and community reach make them vulnerable to manipulation by individuals who use donations, tithes, or loans as covers for laundering proceeds of crime.”
Dr. Ayine urged religious leaders to remain vigilant, institute internal control systems, and collaborate closely with national authorities to report suspicious financial activities. He emphasised that Ghana’s legal framework, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044) and the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 875), provided robust mechanisms to trace and confiscate illicit assets — but their effectiveness depended on public and institutional awareness.
“The most sophisticated laws are meaningless if communities and faith-based institutions are unaware of their role in enforcement,” he said. “Religious leaders occupy a powerful moral space; your influence must be harnessed to make our society more transparent and accountable.”
Representing GIABA’s Director-General, Mr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., Mr. Timothy Melaye, Acting Principal Officer for Communication and Advocacy, highlighted that combating financial crimes was not the sole responsibility of government agencies but required collective vigilance from all sectors, particularly faith institutions that command mass influence.
He explained that since its establishment in 2000 by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, GIABA had evolved into a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-styled regional body conducting mutual evaluations, capacity-building initiatives, and technical support to strengthen AML/CFT systems in member states.
“Religious leaders hold enormous moral authority,” he said. “Their voices must not only be heard but seen to lead the fight against corruption, crime, and extremism through action and exemplary conduct.”
Mr. Kofi Boakye, representing the FIC, warned that money laundering schemes had grown increasingly sophisticated, with some perpetrators exploiting religious channels to disguise illegal funds.
“Criminals are now using churches, mosques, and charitable organisations to ‘clean dirty money,’” he cautioned. “They offer unsolicited donations or loans to appear legitimate. It’s time religious leaders look beyond generosity and verify the sources of such funds.”
Mr. Boakye advised FBOs to adopt basic due diligence practices — including background checks and prompt reporting of suspicious donations — to safeguard their institutions from criminal infiltration.
The seminar, attended by dozens of senior clergy, imams, and faith-based administrators, is expected to produce a joint framework outlining how Ghana’s religious bodies can support the national and regional fight against financial crimes while fostering peaceful coexistence and moral integrity within their communities.
