The Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has called for a united global effort to address economic and financial crimes that affect individuals and communities worldwide.
His call for international and domestic collaboration aims to strengthen justice systems worldwide and ensure effective asset recovery and economic stability.
He made this plea while addressing an international audience at the 41st Cambridge Economic Crime Conference on Monday, September 2.
Mr Dame’s keynote address focused on the growing challenge of organized financial crimes and the crucial role of international collaboration in asset tracing.
He stressed that the key to effective prosecution lies in identifying and disrupting the assets acquired through illicit activities.
According to Dame, fostering stronger global partnerships among justice systems is essential for addressing this global menace.
The conference brought together a broad spectrum of experts, including Attorneys-General, senior judicial figures, police leaders, and academics.
Mr Dame used the platform to address the specific challenges faced by different regions, noting that Africa, in particular, faces unique hurdles due to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
“Our survival as a global community depends on the efficiency of cooperation among us. The world can develop a proper response to the dangers posed by economic crime only through a coordinated effort based on mutual cooperation between criminal justice partners and the private sector globally,” the Attorney General added.
These challenges include corruption, money laundering, and environmental issues.
Highlighting the importance of international conventions such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, Dame called for their effective deployment to facilitate cross-border asset recovery.
He also underscored the need for international data sharing to combat economic crime more effectively.
Dame’s reflections on the conference theme, “Suspect Assets,” underscored the critical role of asset tracing in preventing economic crime.
He argued that recovering illicit wealth is not only essential for combating crime but also significantly contributes to national revenue, especially for countries like Ghana.
On the topic of plea bargaining, Dame expressed a balanced view, emphasizing that while it can be a useful tool, it must be approached with caution. He warned against compromising the integrity of the legal system and stressed that plea deals should be based on clear admissions of guilt for financial crimes.
Mr Dame also outlined Ghana’s domestic efforts to combat economic crime through key legislations: The Economic and Organised Crimes Office Act, 2011 (Act 804), The Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), and the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).
These laws are designed to enhance transparency, trace and recover assets, and bolster the fight against corruption.