Ousman Sonko, the minister of Interior, has described money laundering, terrorism financing and other related financial crimes as amongst the major threats to the global economic system.

The government of The Gambia, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of President Jammeh, is a keen partner to the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering (GIABA) in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. "The government places high premium on capacity building in this area especially for the law enforcement agents and judicial apparatus," the Interior minister explained.

Minister Sonko was speaking yesterday, while presiding over the opening ceremony of a four-day workshop for investigators, police detectives and other law-enforcement officials in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and other related financial crimes within the sub-region.

The programme is organised by GIABA, and was held in the conference hall of the Sheraton Resort and Spa. It will take place from the 1st to 5th of December 2009. The programme brings together participants from all the English speaking countries of West Africa. It aims to raise awareness on how to identify money laundering targets, to equip participants with various investigative techniques and expose them to evidentiary requirements necessary to prove common elements of money laundering, and to create a networking forum and information sharing for law enforcement agencies in the fight against global economic crimes.

In addition to that, participants are expected to discuss and brainstorm on issues affecting the effective and efficient fight against the offence of money laundering and terrorism financing in the sub-region of West Africa.

Ousman Sonko further noted that issues of money laundering and financing of terrorism are a major concern for many governments in many parts of the world and the sub-region of West Africa is not an exception to this reality. "Studies have revealed numerous money laundering cases in the region whilst cases related to the financing of terrorism are becoming more frequent in most countries throughout the world; thus the need for governments of the world, especially those within the sub-region to have an obligation to act together and work with other concerned national and international bodies to combat money laundering," he concluded.

Dr. Abdullahiy Shehu, director general of GIABA, deliberated on the essence of the workshop for the investigative officers and its possible impact on the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and other related financial crimes within the sub region of West Africa and beyond.