Journalists Empowered to Combat Illicit Financial Flows and Progressive Taxation.

 

On May 29, 2025, the Veronique Heights Hotel in Kumasi hosted a two-day training course for Ghanaian journalists on progressive taxation and illicit financial flows (IFFs).

The Media Foundation for West Africa ( MFWA ) is organizing this program with the goal of improving journalists’ understanding and proficiency in covering IFFs, progressive taxes, and how these affect Ghana’s domestic revenue collection.

The workshop is financed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation through Oxfam in Ghana and is a component of the MFWA’s project, “Tax for Development: Strengthening Civil Society and Media for Fiscal Justice.” Through this project, journalists and civil society organisations will be better equipped to support fiscal justice and advance governance transparency.

Mr. Paul Kofi Gozo, MFWA’s Programme Assistant, stressed in his introductory remarks the significance of giving media the necessary information and abilities to follow and observe government policies and their effects on domestic revenue mobilisation. He pointed out that the goal of the training is to enable reporters to write excellent stories about progressive taxation and IFFs, which will help the public have a better understanding of these important topics.

Both 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 in Accra, were important resource persons who presented throughout the session. In contrast to Mr. Addo, who presented on the foundation of taxation, domestic revenue mobilisation, and the impact of IFFs on women, gender equity, and socio-economic development, Mr. Cudjoe’s presentation concentrated on introducing IFFs, legislative frameworks, and case examples.

Mr. Cudjoe emphasized how IFFs have a major detrimental effect on social stability, governance, and development in Ghana and other African nations.

He underlined that cooperation, increased openness, and a robust legal framework are necessary for effective action against IFFs. “Journeys, citizens, the Ghanaian government, and the international community must prioritise addressing IFFs,” he emphasised.

Records show that IFFs cost Africa almost $50 billion a year (UNECA, 2015). Corruption, tax evasion, trade mispricing, and the exploitation of natural resources are among the IFF instances in Africa. The basis of taxation and domestic revenue mobilisation was clarified by Mr. Addo’s presentation, which also emphasised the significance of progressive taxation in advancing fiscal justice and lowering inequality.

The goal of the workshop is to give journalists the information and abilities they need to properly research and cover IFFs in Ghana. Participants are expected to write and publish at least one journalistic piece on IFFs, progressive taxation policy, and mobilisation after completing the workshop.

It is anticipated that this program will encourage accountability and transparency in governance and help to advance a more educated public conversation on these important issues.

The MFWA deserves praise for its efforts to enable journalists to address progressive taxes and IFFs.

MFWA is fostering a more knowledgeable and involved populace by equipping journalists with the requisite training and expertise, which is crucial for advancing fiscal justice and lowering inequality.

Projects like this workshop are essential in fostering accountability and openness in governance as Ghana continues to struggle with the issues of IFFs and tax evasion.