EFCC, Ghana’s Financial Intelligence Centre deepen cooperation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Ghana’s Financial Intelligence Centre have resolved to deepen the level of cooperation between the two agencies.
This emerged on Thursday as the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, received Samuel Thompson Essel, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Intelligence Centre and the agency’s Head of International Cooperation, Edward Mussey, in his office at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja.
While acknowledging the rich history of cooperation between Ghana and Nigeria and the transnational dimension to organised criminal activities in the sub-region, Lamorde stressed the need for law enforcement organizations in West Africa to build a synergy of lasting cooperation.
He expressed the willingness of the EFCC to assist the FIC in building its capacity through training and intelligence sharing, adding that joint training and frequent interface by officers of the two agencies should be encouraged to forge understanding and good relationships.
Essel thanked Lamorde for the warm reception and briefed him on measures already taken by FIC to enhance the fight against organised crime and money laundering in Ghana.
He noted that his agency has faced challenges in the area of compliance by Designated Non-Financial Institutions with Anti- Money Laundering Regulation, especially as it affects the rendition of Suspicious Transaction Reports.
He however acknowledged the fact that training received at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit by some of his analysts has been a catalyst for his organisation.
Essel appealed to Lamorde to encourage his staff to visit the FIC, while also extending invitation to him to visit Ghana.
The FIC officials were guests of their Nigerian counterpart, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.