Ghana has formally welcomed international evaluators for the on-site Mutual Evaluation of its Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT), and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) regime, a key step in strengthening the nation’s financial integrity and global credibility.
Delivering opening remarks on behalf of the government, Deputy Minister of Finance Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko said the exercise represents more than a procedural review, describing it as “a time of truth, reflection, and accountability.” He emphasised that Ghana aims to demonstrate commitment through implementation and measurable impact, rather than theoretical compliance.
“Our National Risk Assessment was not treated as a shelf document but as a diagnostic tool that compelled us to confront vulnerabilities honestly—across sectors, products, institutions, and borders,” Nyarko said. He highlighted that the process has led to difficult yet necessary policy recalibrations, institutional reforms, and strengthened political will to address financial crime risks.
The Deputy Minister outlined recent reforms, including enhanced coordination through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML/CFT, and strengthened operational independence and analytical capacity at the Financial Intelligence Centre. He noted that law enforcement agencies, regulators, prosecutors, and other authorities have improved collaboration, focusing on outcomes such as investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and asset recovery.
Nyarko also stressed that AML/CFT responsibilities are now viewed as a national obligation, critical to safeguarding Ghana’s financial system, protecting the economy, maintaining investor confidence, and upholding the country’s international standing.
Acknowledging that challenges remain, Nyarko said Ghana approaches the evaluation with confidence and humility, welcoming constructive scrutiny to refine systems and align with global best practices. He encouraged open dialogue over the coming days, emphasising that the nation is prepared, transparent, and committed to continuous improvement.
“Ghana’s commitment to combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing is unwavering,” he concluded, highlighting the exercise as a demonstration of strong cooperation between Ghana, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), and the wider international AML/CFT community.