http://theinquirer.com.lr/story.php?record_id=2975&sub=14

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has joined national stakeholders in the country to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.A representative for Justice Minister Christina Tah, Cllr. Nagblee Warner told stakeholders at the opening of a three day workshop yesterday that much effort has to be put in place in developing a national strategy. Cllr. Warner continued that the strategy when drafted would also serve as a legal instrument. He then called on stakeholders to invest in education for those who have to implement the strategy and for would be offenders.

Making remarks also the Deputy Minister of Revenue at the Ministry of Finance, Elfrieda Tamba disclosed that there are rumors in some quarters that Liberia is being used to launder money. The Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, Dr. Abdullahi Shehu in a written communiqué stated that a national strategy is necessary as it provides holistic approach to addressing identified weaknesses, facilitates prioritization of actions starting with the most urgent needs; enhances the proper utilization of limited resources in the face of competing needs; identifies all relevant stakeholders and assign corresponding roles to them; facilitates impact assessment and adjustment in the course of implementation of actions; promotes national coordination and helps to foster collaboration among stakeholders and commits the country to the development of its anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism.