Ghana Authorities Warn Churches, Mosques Exploited for Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing

Religious organizations in Ghana, including churches and mosques, are increasingly being exploited as conduits for money laundering and terrorist financing, according to warnings from Ghana's Attorney-General, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). These faith-based institutions often rely heavily on cash donations and foreign contributions, which criminals use to disguise illicit funds under the guise of charitable offerings. The FIC has urged religious leaders to conduct background checks and due diligence on members who provide large financial support or loans to prevent illicit money from entering the formal economy. A series of national sensitization seminars organized by GIABA and the FIC emphasize the critical role of religious institutions in combating financial crimes, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards and adherence to international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. Government officials reaffirm Ghana's commitment to robust legal frameworks and institutional cooperation to address these emerging threats. The seminars gathered leaders from major Christian and Muslim denominations to foster awareness and encourage proactive measures against the misuse of religious platforms for criminal financial flows.