Financial crime expert Isaac Obour has called on state authorities to strengthen their efforts against fraud, corruption, internet scams, and money laundering.
He has urged agencies to deal decisively with individuals responsible for these crimes in order to protect Ghana’s international reputation.
While he acknowledged that security agencies are doing their best, Obour believes they could do more to safeguard the nation.
He contrasted modern fraud with past crimes like armed robbery, noting that the internet has made it easier to steal from people.
Internet fraudsters can now commit crimes from anywhere in the world through romance and other online scams.
Obour added that it is difficult to combat these crimes because fraudsters can hide their identity and change their IP addresses.
To address the problem, Obour has proposed that Ghana improve its systems.
He has stated that while the Police, National Security, and other agencies are doing what they can, they must do much more to ensure Ghana doesn’t gain a reputation as a hub for internet scams and fraud.
He also called for continuous monitoring by security services to deal with stolen vehicles shipped to Ghana.
“When we seize the stolen vehicles and prosecute the faces behind them, it will serve as a deterrent to others,” he added.
Mr Obour emphasised that these types of crimes are increasing daily, adding that it is difficult to crack down on suspected criminals.
He noted that authorities do not easily trace stolen cars unless they are proceeds from a different crime or a high-value item.
Mr. Obour added that Ghana can fight these sophisticated crimes without seeking external help because the country already has the necessary experts and professionals.
He stated, “When you look at institutions such as the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Ghana Police Service, and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), we have all the experienced experts with the skills; all we need is the will to deal with these sophisticated crimes.”
Failure to deal with these crimes, he warned, could affect Ghana’s bilateral relations with other countries, negatively impact investor confidence, and ruin the nation’s reputation.
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