Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on West African countries not to allow artificial borders to divide them, but to unite and work together in addressing shared challenges such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and cross-border crimes.
“Let us not allow artificial boundaries to separate us. Our shared challenges require shared solutions; every part of West Africa has a role to play in building a secure and prosperous future,” she said.
She made the call at the opening of the 2nd Extraordinary GIABA Ministerial Committee meeting held over the weekend in Accra.
GIABA, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, is a specialised institution of ECOWAS. The GIABA Ministerial Committee is made up of Ministers of Finance, Internal Affairs or Security, and Justice from member states.
She said the region was facing complex political and security challenges due to transitions in some member states, which have created gaps in coordination and weakened institutions.
But she stressed that these developments also offered a chance to deepen regional cooperation and rethink how institutions like GIABA respond to emerging threats.
The Vice President praised GIABA for its behind-the-scenes efforts to support countries in putting in place strong systems to prevent and fight financial crimes.
She said such efforts help protect the integrity of national economies and support regional peace and development.
“This meeting is not just for policy talks, but also for partnership. we must ensure our fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism and weapons is robust, inclusive, and forward-looking,” she said.
She said the region must close gaps in intelligence and enforcement, especially as discussions continue about the participation of countries currently in political transition, including members of the Alliance of Sahel States.
“These are not easy conversations,” she said, “but they must be held in the spirit of regional unity and resilience. They require prudence, patience and principle-based dialogue.”
Chairman of GIABA, Mr Sheku Bangura, stressed the importance of keeping all West African countries, including those in transition, within the GIABA framework.
He said countries like Ghana and Burkina Faso shared porous borders and were deeply connected, so cooperation was necessary to stop the flow of illicit money, weapons, and drugs.
“You cannot say you will not cooperate with them. If they are not part of GIABA, the risk exists, and it may affect the stability of Ghana,” he warned.
He urged GIABA members to take a pragmatic approach, guided by risk management and not politics, to ensure these countries remain part of the organisation.
“The statutes of GIABA allow non-regional members to function. It is not a political decision, but a practical one based on economic and security risks,” he said.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG