President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone inaugurated the 29th Ministerial Committee Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in Freetown, calling for stronger regional collaboration to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
Speaking at the event, held at the New Brookfields Hotel, President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s progress in aligning national laws with international anti-money laundering standards, capacity building, and fostering regional cooperation. He stressed the need for actionable strategies and joint efforts to counter emerging financial crime threats.
GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. emphasized the urgency of intensified regional efforts, citing a recently published report on financial crime in West Africa. FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo praised GIABA’s initiatives and pledged continued support for capacity building and collaboration across the ECOWAS region.
Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura highlighted Sierra Leone’s legislative advancements and President Bio’s support for the Financial Intelligence Unit. He stressed the importance of collective action in implementing GIABA’s recommendations.
The conference underscored the need for resource allocation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement to dismantle transnational financial crime networks. President Bio urged member states to commit to regional security, sustainable development, and global stability through a unified action plan.
