Ghana’s Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called for deeper regional cooperation in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and the proliferation of weapons, urging ECOWAS member states to remain united and forward-looking in addressing transnational threats.

Speaking at the 2nd Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), held in Accra, the Vice President delivered a powerful address that underscored the importance of collaboration, resilience, and inclusive engagement across the sub-region.

“Illicit flows and related crimes thrive where coordination is weak and institutional presence is fragmented,” she stated.

“Our regional architecture for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism must remain robust, inclusive, and capable of responding to emerging threats, not only within stable jurisdictions but across all of West Africa.”

The Vice President extended warm greetings on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and welcomed ministers, security chiefs, financial regulators, and development partners attending the high-level meeting.

She commended GIABA for its critical role in promoting international best practices in anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) across member states.

“Your work, often behind the scenes, is of great importance to regional security and sustainable development,” she noted.

The meeting, attended by representatives from the Bank of Ghana, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Police Service, Economic and Organised Crime Office, National Insurance Commission, and other national and regional bodies, comes at a time when parts of the region are undergoing political transitions, raising complex governance and security concerns.

The Vice President acknowledged these challenges while encouraging continued engagement with all ECOWAS member states, including those currently undergoing transition.

“Our shared challenges require shared solutions,” she emphasised. “Every part of West Africa has a role to play in building a secure and prosperous future.”

She also addressed the ongoing debate around the status of the Alliance of Sahel States within GIABA, stating that such discussions must be approached with "prudence, patience, and principled dialogue" to ensure that regional security efforts are both inclusive and effective.

The Vice President concluded by expressing confidence that the meeting would result in decisions guided by wisdom, balance, and long-term vision, and called for the forum to serve not only as a policymaking platform but also as a renewed partnership for building a resilient and united West Africa.