SENEGAL WINS THE 5TH EDITION OF THE INTER-VARSITY PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION ON THE IMPACT OF ML/TF ON WEST AFRICAN ECONOMIES
The 5th Edition of the Inter-Varsity Public Speaking Competition organized by the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) was held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Placed under the theme '' Anti-money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism: what are the challenges for young people?'', this edition of the competition marked by gender equality, had six (06) competing students shortlisted from various State Universities in Francophone and Lusophone GIABA Member States.
The students are:
· Mr. DALAPE Gracia Darel Bignon , student in law and political science at Abomey-Calavi in Benin;
· Mr. ANILTON NAPOLEAO Bento Ferdnandes , 4th Year student in Bachelor of French Studies at the Public Administration University of Cabo Verde (UNICV);
· Miss COULIBALY Waworgninnin Safiatou , 3rd Year student in Bachelor of Administrative and Political Legal Sciences at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in Cote d’Ivoire;
· Miss INJAI Maimuna Muamy, Bachelor of Social Sciences student at the Amilcar Cabral University of Guinea-Bissau;
· Ms. Oumou Kalsoum THIANDOUM , 3rd Year student in Bachelor of Management at the Department of Management of the Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique de Dakar (ESP) of the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD); And
· Mr. BAKNAMPAR LARE Batiam , Master's student at the Faculty of Law, University of Lomé, Togo.
Organized periodically since 2013, the competition is designed to serve as a platform for promoting knowledge of AML/CFT systems and exchanging ideas on current issues. It aims to enhance academic awareness of the threat of ML/TF and related predicate offences in West Africa; to improve research on AML/CFT systems; and to increase students' interest in AML/CFT issues and their role in AML/CFT.
The opening ceremony of the competition was presided over by Mr. Yélindo Patrick Houessou, Vice-Warden of students at the University of Abomey-Calavi, representing the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He seized the opportunity to thank GIABA for choosing Benin to host the 5th Edition of the Inter-Varsity Public Speaking Competition on the impact of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (ML/TF) on the West African economies. The Warden of students opined that, “Putting this issue at the hub of a public speaking competition is a strategy that is both fun and stimulating, which will undoubtedly create an opportunity for young people to better understand the risks to which they are exposed ”.
In his welcome address, Mr. Wilfried HOUEDOKOU, Acting President of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), GIABA’s National Correspondent in Benin, underscored that organization of this competition is a testimony to the interest demonstrated by the national and regional system to the youths in this fight. He also urged students to adopt behaviors that would strengthen the State's capacity to provide the necessary responses.
Mr. Timothy MELAYE, Acting Senior Manager of Communication and Advocacy, representing the Director General of GIABA, Mr. Edwin W. HARRIS Jr., stated in his introductory remarks that ML/TF constituted major obstacles to development of the region due to their negative impact on the security and development of the region. As such, he enjoined young people not only to reject all forms of easy and shortcuts in achieving their objectives, but also to protect the security and stability of their country, as their studies and future were all at stake. Finally, he indicated that this competition was designed to generate relevant academic contributions through research and publication of books on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (ML/TF).
In his intervention, Mr. Mamadou KONATE of the ECOWAS Resident Representation in Benin, welcomed the measures put in place at the regional level to strengthen cooperation in the said fight, harmonize legislation and above all strengthen the capacities of States on the prevention and repression of these crimes.
It is noteworthy that the presentations of the various competitors focused on the following sub-themes: Overview of the ML/TF threat in society, the risks and issues of ML/TF; the Consequences of ML/TF on the economic development of ECOWAS Member States; the role and efforts of GIABA in the fight against ML/TF in West Africa; Strategies to combat ML/TF among West African youths; the role of academics in the fight against ML/TF in West Africa; and the role of young people in AML/CFT and predicate offences.
At the end of the contest, in front of a jury comprising AML/CFT experts, it was candidate Oumou Kalsoum Thiandoum from Cheikh-Anta-Diop University (Senegal) who won first prize with an average of 89.33/100 ; followed by Gracia Darel Bignon Dolape from the University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin) who obtained 2nd Prize with an average of 80.66/100; and finally, the 3rd prize went to Batiam Lare Baknampar from the University of Lomé (Togo) with an average of 73/100.
On the whole, all six (6) candidates were given a certificate of participation and a computer to complete their research. The three (3) winners, received a trophy as well as the sum of $1000 Dollars for the winner, $750 for the second and $500 for the third respectively.