Ghana has signed a landmark inter-agency agreement to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) controls.
Chaired by Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the agreement brought together the Bank of Ghana, the Financial Intelligence Centre, Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Minerals Commission, and the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC).
It establishes a coordinated national framework to address financial crime risks in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), as Ghana undergoes a mutual evaluation by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
Speaking at the ceremony in Accra, Mr Ampem described the event as a shift from planning to accountability. “Today marks a deliberate move from technical discussions to senior-level affirmation, consolidation, and ownership of agreed reforms,” he said.
He noted that the agreement builds on more than a year of technical work under the Gold-sector AML/CFT/PF Joint Action Plan. Key achievements include the creation of a dedicated AML/CFT/PF Desk at GoldBod, the enforcement of ORC’s beneficial ownership sanctions regime, and the rollout of real-time data sharing between ORC and GoldBod.
According to M Ampem, the pact will not only strengthen Ghana’s compliance with international standards but also enhance investor confidence and revenue mobilisation.
“This communiqué demonstrates inter-ministerial coordination and senior-level commitment, which are central to international assessments of effectiveness,” he added.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Finance’s leadership role, with the Mining and Industry Unit of the Real Sector Division mandated to provide structured oversight and ensure continuity of reforms.
The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the UK-Ghana Gold Programme for its technical support in facilitating inter-agency collaboration.
“This agreement sends a strong and credible signal of Ghana’s resolve to safeguard the integrity of its gold sector,” Mr Ampem said.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
