Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) in the country have been urged to resist any attempt by any organization or group of persons both locally and internationally to engage in money laundering activities.
According to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the modus operandi of organizations funding terrorist groups across the world is to use legitimate businesses including Non-Profit Organizations to launder monies to these groups making the NPOs vulnerable to investigations and possible prosecutions.
These were stated by the Manger of FIC, Emil Meddy at a day’s stakeholder’s forum on the NPO Draft Bill 2021 in Cape Coast Monday.
The forum sought to solicit inputs from stakeholders drawn across the region to make recommendations to the proposed bill which seeks to among others maintain its Secretariat as a central authority responsible for the sector to coordinate the activities of all NPOs in Ghana or turn it into a Commission.
It will ensure NPOs become a force to social and economic development, a partner in nation-building and an ally to consolidate Ghana’s democratic governance.
Speaking to ATL FM NEWS on the sidelines of the forum, the Director of NPO’s Secretariat, Dela Ashiagbor indicated that the NPO Bill is to provide a strong legal mechanism to combat money laundering and prevent terrorism in Ghana.
“… They are about 10,800 on our database and there are more in the field, who are not even known by the government. So it is just right that we create a legal framework for that sector” he added.
He said NPOs were a driving force in the country’s economic growth and require a legal framework to support their operations in order to evolve into a robust organization capable of attracting additional but genuine sponsorships.
He emphasized that “It is rather going to strengthen their funding to their work because, now, donors are looking at, which country has very good legal framework… rather, if we have this law, which is going to strengthen their work other international donors would also know this country is credible and that the organizations within are in good standing that they can collaborate and work to their benefit.” He intimated.
The day’s stakeholder’s forum on the NPO Draft Bill 2021 was jointly organized by the NPOs Secretariat under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and sponsored by the Ministry, Financial Intelligence Centre, and GIZ.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
