Ashanti region: The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has organized a one-day sensitization workshop for journalists in the Ashanti Region on the Guide for Journalists on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), Progressive Taxation, Reserved-Based Lending, and Domestic Resource Mobilization Reporting in Ghana. The workshop aimed to equip editors and journalists with the tools necessary to effectively report on IFFs and their implications for government revenue and expenditure.
According to Ghana News Agency, the program, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development through OXFAM in Ghana, was part of the 'Tax for Development Strengthening Civil Society and Media for Fiscal Justice' Project. Participants were educated on core concepts and definitions of IFFs, practical investigation techniques, critical tools for media practitioners, and legal and ethical considerations, all of which are included in the Guide.
Dr. Bishop Akolgo, a Consultant on Illicit Financial Flows, highlighted that IFFs divert resources from essential public services like schools, clinics, and roads, reducing the government's capacity to support vulnerable populations. He noted that if Ghana could block the loopholes facilitating IFFs, the country could gather sufficient resources for developmental projects. He emphasized the need for journalists to be well-informed to mobilize citizens to pressure duty bearers to bridge gaps and prevent resource leakage.
Dr. Akolgo called on government-mandated institutions, including the Bank of Ghana, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Revenue Authority, Financial Intelligence Center, Auditor General, and Civil Society Organizations, to combat IFFs. He noted that Ghana currently lacks inter-agency coordination to effectively address these activities, stressing the necessity for a coordinated approach to tackle the issue.
Madam Rosemond Ebi-Adwo Aryeetey, Senior Manager, Media for Democracy and Good Governance at MFWA, observed that IFFs present complexities and nuances that challenge effective reporting. To address these challenges, MFWA has organized a series of training sessions on IFFs for the media. She explained that the education on the new Guide was an advanced step to comprehensively address the topic, urging the media to utilize the guide and familiarize themselves with the tools for effective reporting to reduce losses from IFFs.
