Dakar — The newly appointed Director-General (DG) of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Mr. Edwin W. HARRIS Jr, was sworn in along with the Commissioners and other Heads of ECOWAS Institutions at the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 01, 2022.

It would be recalled that Mr. Edwin W. HARRIS Jr. assumed duty as Director-General of GIABA on August 01, 2022. He was appointed at the helm of the Community Institution based in Dakar, Senegal, by Decision C/DEC.7/07/22.

Speaking recently at the 2022 GIABA Staff Retreat held from November 3 – 4 at Saly, Senegal, Mr. Harris Jr. assured of his unflinching support in creating an enabling working environment for all staff. The DG highlighted the importance of working more efficiently and productively, and it remains a major goal of his administration. He disclosed that he would continue the programmes and projects of the previous administration towards ensuring that the economic and financial systems of member States are protected against the laundering of proceeds of crimes.

The Director-General of GIABA reiterated the need for mutual respect be a new culture in the organization, stressing that the lawful interest of staff is a topmost priority.

Mr. Harris Jr. has over sixteen (16) years of progressive experience in the public sector and non-profit structures with in-depth knowledge and skills in governance, transparency and financial crimes. He has relevant skills on issues relating to governance, in the fight against money laundering, in formulating policies and in implementing anti-corruption strategies.