Ministry of Finance strengthens national response to gold sector illicit financial flow

Samuel Arkhurst, Coordinating Director (Technical) at the Ministry of Finance, has disclosed that government is intensifying reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, traceability, formalisation, border controls, financial integrity, and institutional coordination across Ghana’s gold sector.

Mr. Arkhurst made the remarks when he delivered a speech on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, at the opening session of the Training of Trainers programme held at the Police Detective Training Academy on Wednesday.

According to him, the Ministry of Finance has assumed a central coordination role in strengthening Ghana’s national response to illicit financial flows and Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) risks associated with the gold sector.

He explained that the initiative forms part of Ghana’s preparations towards the upcoming Mutual Evaluation Process by the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

Mr. Arkhurst noted that the Training of Trainers programme represents an integral component of the broader national effort to strengthen investigative, analytical, and operational capabilities across institutions involved in combating gold smuggling and related financial crimes.

He further indicated that the programme seeks to deepen institutional collaboration and operational coordination among participating agencies to improve enforcement outcomes.

“As this is a Training of Trainers programme, the Ministry of Finance places particular importance on the expectation that participants will cascade the knowledge, skills, and operational lessons acquired here within their respective institutions,” he stated.

Mr. Arkhurst commended the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Police Detective Training Academy, for integrating gold sector investigations into the standard detective training curriculum.

According to him, the move represents a significant step towards institutionalising Ghana’s national capability to effectively respond to gold-related financial crimes and organised criminal activities over the long term.

He also expressed appreciation to the organisers, facilitators, technical experts, and participants for their dedication and commitment to the national assignment.

Mr. Arkhurst encouraged participants and their institutions to continue strengthening cooperation across government agencies and to apply lessons from the programme in advancing Ghana’s fight against illicit financial flows.

Quoting from the famous literary work Alice in Wonderland, he urged participants to remain focused on the country’s collective objective.

“For if you don't know where you are going, every road will lead you anywhere. But for us in this room, we know where we are going,” he remarked.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith