INTERPOL delivered a four day training workshop in Accra, Ghana from 26 to 29 September to approximately 40 participants from various law enforcement agencies and units, within the framework of CRIMJUST.
Participants included the Narcotics Control Board, Customs, Financial Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, SEACOP, INTERPOL Accra and maritime police in Tema.
During the workshop, which opened in the presence of partners from Transparency International, various tools were presented, including most of INTERPOL forms, templates and reporting mechanisms for drug offences. Sessions covered topics related to cocaine trafficking trends and its impact on Ghana as well as fingerprints, social media research and communication tools. One of the presentations focused specifically on financial aspects of the drug trade, money laundering, cash couriers and corruption.
The workshop was participative and interactive, with considerable debates revolving around the national collection and sharing of drug trafficking information and intelligence. Input from the participants also included feedback from the Ghanaian delegates who attended the latest session of INTERCOPS held in Sao Paulo, courtesy of the Brazilian Federal Police. Discussions with the SEACOP team were most instructive and set the foundation for potential joint initiatives between the two projects in West Africa.
