TAMALE, GHANA – 7 August 2026

The International Centre for Public Development (I.C.P.D.) has taken another significant step towards promoting integrity and preventing financial crime among young people by initiating a strategic partnership with School for Life, a leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving access to quality education and empowering children and communities across Ghana.

A high-level delegation from I.C.P.D. paid a courtesy call on the management of School for Life in Tamale on Friday, 7 August 2026, to explore opportunities for collaboration in promoting financial crime prevention education among school children in the five northern regions, the Oti Region, and eventually across other parts of Ghana.

The I.C.P.D. delegation was led by Mr. Paul Agyei Gyang, Board Member of the Centre, and comprised Mr. James Salifu Zillah, Head of Finance; Ms. Nanayaa Tobore Asumpta, Assistant Centre Coordinator in Charge of School ProgramSCHOOLmes; and Mr. Elisha Ndambé Napare, Assistant Centre Coordinator in Charge of Religious Affairs.

The delegation was warmly received by the Director of School for Life, Madam Wedad Sayibu, together with members of her management team, including Mr. Abdul Hanan Ibrahim, Head of Finance; Mr. Mohammed Fuseini, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Salifu Musin, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer; Mr. Abdul Manaf, Project Manager; and Ms. Munika Pagwuni Seidu, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Lead.

Welcoming the delegation, Madam Wedad Sayibu expressed her appreciation for I.C.P.D.'s initiative and commended the Centre's vision of tackling economic and financial crime through preventive education. She noted that preventing corruption and other financial crimes must begin with educating children and nurturing a new generation of responsible, ethical and accountable citizens.

Madam Sayibu assured the I.C.P.D. delegation of School for Life's commitment to building a strong and sustainable partnership. She indicated that the organisation is ready to collaborate on joint educational programmes that promote ethics, integrity, civic responsibility and financial crime prevention among learners.

She further explained that School for Life currently works with 88 schools across Ghana, presenting an excellent platform through which the two organisations can jointly reach thousands of school children with messages that encourage honesty, accountability and responsible citizenship.

Speaking on behalf of I.C.P.D., Mr. Paul Agyei Gyang provided an overview of the Centre's vision, mission and ongoing programmes. He highlighted I.C.P.D.'s commitment to reducing corruption, fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, bribery and other financial crimes through preventive education, institutional capacity building, research and public awareness.

Mr. Gyang explained that while law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute offenders, lasting success in combating financial crime depends largely on prevention. He emphasised that educating young people on ethics, morals and integrity is one of the most effective long-term strategies for building a society that rejects corruption and protects public resources.

He also outlined some of the Centre's school-based initiatives, including integrity education programmes, financial crime awareness campaigns, debates, quizzes, leadership development programmes and educational publications designed to instil ethical values in children and young people.

Mr. Gyang expressed appreciation to the management of School for Life for their warm reception and willingness to collaborate. He reaffirmed I.C.P.D.'s commitment to working hand in hand with School for Life to design and implement impactful programmes that will strengthen integrity education and contribute to the national fight against financial crime.

Both institutions agreed that collaboration between civil society organisations with complementary strengths is essential in creating lasting behavioural change among young people. They further acknowledged that empowering children with knowledge, values and ethical leadership skills is a critical investment in Ghana's future.

The meeting concluded with a symbolic presentation of I.C.P.D.-branded souvenirs, including customised jotters, pens and key holders, to the management of School for Life as a gesture of appreciation and the beginning of what both organisations described as a promising partnership.

The discussions mark the beginning of a strategic collaboration that is expected to deliver innovative educational programmes aimed at preventing financial crime, promoting ethics and integrity, and nurturing responsible future leaders throughout Ghana.

As I.C.P.D. continues to expand its preventive education agenda, partnerships such as this reinforce the Centre's belief that the fight against corruption and financial crime is most effective when government institutions, civil society organisations, educational institutions and communities work together to shape the values of the next generation.

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