The International Centre for Public Development (I.C.P.D) has successfully concluded a two-day non-residential workshop on Criminal Investigation Principles and Tax Education for investigators and law enforcement officers from the Ghana Police Service (CID), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The programme was held at the Tima Sara Hotel in Tamale from 29th to 30th July 2026.

The workshop, which brought together investigators and tax officials from Tamale in the Northern Region, was designed to equip law enforcement officers with the specialised skills needed to tackle increasingly sophisticated economic and financial crimes. With financial leakages posing a serious threat to national development, the training underscored the urgent need for a coordinated, multi-agency response to protect the public purse.

The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from all partner agencies, including the Northern Area Director of GRA, Mr. Pius Dogli, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jerome Kayong, representing the Regional Police commander and the Northern Regional Director of EOCO, Mr. Paul A. Gyang, who is also a Board Member of ICPD.

Delivering the welcoming address, the Centre Coordinator of I.C.P.D in charge of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Ellis Asamani, welcomed participants and expressed the Centre's commitment to building capacity within the security and revenue sectors. 

He emphasised that the workshop marked the beginning of a broader initiative to engage law enforcement officers in all five regions of the North, ensuring that frontline officers are adequately prepared to combat financial crime.

Mr. Asamani also used the platform to commend I.C.P.D and development partners for their support, while appealing for continued financial assistance to enable I.C.P.D to extend this critical training to the Savannah, North East, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.

"This workshop in Tamale marks an important milestone for the International Centre for Public Development. It is our firm intention to expand this initiative across all five regions of the North. We recognise that economic crimes are not restricted to Accra or Kumasi; they are happening in our communities here in the North, and our law enforcement officers in these regions must be adequately prepared." 

Delivering a message on behalf of the Commissioner-General of GRA, the Northern Area Director of GRA, Mr. Pius Dogli, reiterated the Authority's unwavering commitment to working with ICPD, EOCO, and the Police CID to curb tax crimes and ensure that perpetrators of financial malfeasance are brought to justice.

He noted that tax evasion and financial crimes deprive the nation of critical revenue needed for development and called on all participants to take the training seriously and apply the knowledge gained to their daily work.

"The Ghana Revenue Authority remains fully committed to inter-agency collaboration. We will continue to provide access to our expertise and ensure our investigators are prepared to support operations alongside EOCO and the Police CID to ensure that those who defraud the state are brought to justice." 

The keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jerome Kayong, who represnted the Regional Police Commander. He highlighted the evolving nature of crime and stressed that investigators must continuously upgrade their skills to stay ahead of criminals.

DCOP Kayong reaffirmed the Police Service's commitment to inter-agency collaboration and assured participants of the Service's dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all investigations.

"The days when crime was limited to physical confrontation are long gone. Today, we face complex financial fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime that require a sophisticated, intelligence-led response. This training is therefore not just an opportunity but a necessity for every investigator committed to protecting the nation."

The Northern Regional Director of EOCO, Mr. Paul A. Gyang, who is also a Board Member of I.C.P.D, underscored the critical role EOCO plays in the fight against economic and organised crime and the importance of joint training initiatives in fostering seamless collaboration between agencies.

He commended I.C.P.D

for organising the workshop and called for sustained partnerships between all law enforcement agencies to effectively combat the growing menace of financial crime in the five Northern Regions and beyond.

"The fight against economic crime cannot be won in silos. EOCO remains committed to working with the Police CID, GRA, and ICPD to build the capacity of our investigators and ensure that perpetrators of financial crime face the full rigours of the law." 

The two day training was facilitated by seasoned investigators and experts drawn from the Police Service, EOCO, GRA, and academia.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions, case studies, and group discussions designed to enhance their practical skills and foster cross-agency networking.

In his closing remarks, Mr Paul Agyei Gyang thanked all participants for their active engagement and commitment throughout the workshop. He reiterated I.C.P.D's vision to extend similar training to all five regions of the North and called on partner agencies and development partners to provide the necessary financial support to make this vision a reality.

At the end of the workshop, Certificates of participation were presented to all participants

The successful conclusion of this two-day workshop marks a significant milestone in ICPD's commitment to building the capacity of law enforcement officers in the Northern Region. The Centre has demonstrated its dedication to advancing public development through research, training, and capacity building.

Michael Owusu Amanianpong

Centre Coordinator - Operations and Grants

(Workshop Coordinator)

International Centre for Public Development (I..C.P.D)

email:

Telephone: 0244842109

Tamale, Ghana – 15th July 2026

The International Centre for Public Development (I.C.P.D.), together with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening integrity and combating financial crime among young people through a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Director of Education, Mr. Alhassan Alidu Jnr., following the successful Senior High School Financial Crime, Ethics, Integrity and Moral Quiz Competition held on 9 July 2026 at Tamale Girls Senior High School.

The delegation, comprising Mr. Paul Gyang, Northern Regional Director of EOCO, and Ms. Nana Yaa Assumpta Tobore, Assistant Centre Coordinator in charge of School Programmes at I.C.P.D., visited the Regional Director of Education to express their appreciation for the Ghana Education Service's invaluable support and collaboration in organizing the quiz competition, which brought together Tamale Girls Senior High School , Ghana Senior High School, Tamale Senior High Schooland Northern School of Business with Tamale Secondary School emerging the overall winner.

During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening the partnership between the Ghana Education Service, EOCO and I.C.P.D. to expand financial crime awareness, ethics, integrity and moral education across schools in the Northern Region.

The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mr. Alhassan Alidu Jnr., commended EOCO and I.C.P.D. for their proactive efforts to educate students on integrity and responsible citizenship. He assured the delegation of the Ghana Education Service's continued commitment to supporting initiatives that equip students with the knowledge and values needed to resist corruption, financial crime and other unethical practices.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Paul Gyang, Northern Regional Director of EOCO, expressed gratitude to the Regional Director of Education for his unwavering support towards the success of the quiz competition and the broader financial crime awareness campaign. He also acknowledged the significant role played by Ms. Nana Yaa Assumpta Tobore and her team in coordinating school programmes and supporting EOCO's public education efforts throughout the region.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration through more educational programmes, integrity clubs, awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives aimed at nurturing a generation of honest, responsible and ethically conscious young leaders.

This partnership forms part of I.C.P.D.'s Youth Integrity Leadership Development Programme (YILDP), which seeks to empower students with the values of integrity, ethics, accountability and civic responsibility while contributing to Ghana's fight against financial and economic crime.