A two-day training workshop on illicit financial flows (IFFs) and progressive taxation for journalists in Ghana kicked off on May 29, 2025, at the Veronique Heights Hotel in Kumasi.
Organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), this initiative aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of journalists in effectively reporting on IFFs, progressive taxation policies, and their impacts on Ghana’s domestic revenue mobilization.
The workshop, part of the MFWA’s project titled “Tax for Development: Strengthening Civil Society and Media for Fiscal Justice,” is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation through Oxfam in Ghana.
This project seeks to strengthen the capacity of journalists and civil society organizations to advocate for fiscal justice and promote transparency in governance.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Paul Kofi Gozo, Programme Assistant with MFWA, emphasized the importance of equipping journalists with the relevant knowledge and skills needed to effectively track and monitor government policies and their impact on domestic revenue mobilization.
He noted that the workshop is designed to empower journalists to produce high-quality reports on IFFs and progressive taxation, which would contribute to a more informed public discourse on these critical issues.
The training featured presentations from two key resource persons: Mr. Edward Cudjoe from the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) in Kumasi and Mr. Benaiah Nii Addo, Executive Director of Ghana Tax and Youth Africa, Accra.
Mr. Cudjoe’s presentation focused on introducing IFFs, legal frameworks, and case examples, while Mr. Addo’s presentation covered the foundation of taxation, domestic revenue mobilization, and the impact of IFFs on women, gender equity, and socio-economic development.
Mr. Cudjoe highlighted the significant negative impact of IFFs on development, governance, and social stability in African countries, including Ghana. He emphasized that effective action against IFFs requires a strong legal framework, cooperation, and improved transparency. “Addressing IFFs must be a priority for journalists, citizens, the Ghanaian government, and the international community,” he stressed.
According to records, Africa loses approximately $50 billion to IFFs annually (UNECA, 2015). The cases of IFFs in Africa include corruption, tax evasion, trade mispricing, and the exploitation of natural resources. Mr. Addo’s presentation shed light on the foundation of taxation and domestic revenue mobilization, highlighting the importance of progressive taxation in promoting fiscal justice and reducing inequality.
The workshop aims to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively investigate and report on IFFs in Ghana. Upon completion of the training, participants are expected to produce and publish at least one journalistic report on IFFs, progressive taxation policies, and mobilization. This initiative is expected to contribute to a more informed public discourse on these critical issues and promote transparency and accountability in governance.
The MFWA’s efforts to empower journalists to tackle IFFs and progressive taxation are commendable. By providing journalists with the necessary knowledge and skills, the MFWA is promoting a more informed and engaged citizenry, which is essential for promoting fiscal justice and reducing inequality. As Ghana continues to grapple with the challenges of IFFs and tax evasion, initiatives like this workshop are crucial in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
