By Agnes Pratt, Queen of Social Media
Galliness Hotel, Bo City – Tuesday, 20 May 2025
In a landmark move to strengthen Sierra Leone’s financial defenses, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, brought together a diverse array of national stakeholders on Tuesday for a high-level workshop aimed at shaping the country’s first comprehensive National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Strategy.
Held at the prestigious Galliness Hotel in Bo City, the consultation drew participants from across government ministries, regulatory authorities, law enforcement bodies, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The workshop underscored the government’s unwavering resolve to tackle the scourge of financial crimes that threaten Sierra Leone’s security and economic prosperity.
Delivering a powerful keynote address, Attorney General Sesay described the proposed strategy as a national imperative.
“The development of a comprehensive and effective National AML/CFT Strategy is not merely a compliance requirement. It is a fundamental necessity for building a resilient and prosperous Sierra Leone,” he said.
Sesay highlighted the far-reaching consequences of illicit financial flows, warning that they undermine development, erode public trust, and fuel organized crime. He called on stakeholders to view the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing as a collective national duty.
The upcoming strategy, according to Sesay, will establish a unified national response—enhancing inter-agency cooperation, defining priorities, and aligning with international standards, particularly those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He emphasized that such alignment is critical for boosting Sierra Leone’s international reputation and attracting credible investment.
Commending the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, Sesay reiterated the government’s commitment to stepping up prosecutions under the AML/CFT framework.
“We are prepared to continue with prosecutions and will be developing a data-driven and strategic approach to support this commitment,” he affirmed.
He urged agencies to remain vigilant and adapt to the constantly evolving tactics of financial criminals.
“Criminals move with time. We cannot expect an effective AML/CFT/PF regime unless we address contemporary challenges and confront emerging criminal disciplines head-on,” he added.
The Attorney General expressed confidence in the outcome of the workshop, hoping that the two-day consultation would help identify existing gaps and propose actionable solutions.
“Together, we can make Sierra Leone a safer and more financially secure nation,” he concluded.
The event marks a pivotal step in Sierra Leone’s reform agenda, reinforcing that safeguarding the nation’s financial system is not only a policy priority but a shared responsibility.
Source: Miracle Media
