NGOs flagged as potential money laundering risk in new crime index report

The Global Organised Crime Index has raised concerns that certain non-profit organisations in Ghana could be used to launder money or support terrorist financing, pointing to gaps in the country’s financial crime enforcement. The report does not name any specific NGO, but warns that cash‑based operations within the sector and the broader non‑profit field may be exploited by criminals. It stresses that while Ghana has updated its anti‑money laundering laws, the lack of trained investigators and prosecutors limits effective action.

The assessment underscores that the nation struggles with a shortage of specialists able to investigate complex financial offences, particularly those involving asset forfeiture. This shortage makes it harder to track and prosecute illicit flows that may pass through charitable organisations or cash‑heavy businesses. The report also notes a growing trend of digital money‑laundering tools, such as cryptocurrency and prepaid gift cards, which criminals use to obscure the origins of funds.

Experts say the findings could pressure policymakers to allocate more resources toward training and investigative capacity, especially within agencies that monitor the non‑profit sector. They also call for clearer guidance on how charities should handle cash transactions to reduce unintended exposure to criminal networks. The US Department of State, which partly funded the study, clarified that the report’s views are the authors’ own and do not represent official US policy.

The government has not yet announced concrete steps in response to these warnings. Analysts expect that the report will influence future legislative reviews and may prompt collaboration with international partners to strengthen Ghana’s financial oversight framework, aiming to curb abuse while preserving the legitimate work of civil society organisations.