Parliament passes Organised Crime Bill

Accra, Aug. 2, GNA - Parliament on Monday passed the Organized Crime bill which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to monitor, investigate and facilitate the prosecution of organized crime.

It is also to ensure the recovery of proceeds of crime both within and outside the jurisdiction in the interest of the republic.

This follows the increasing spate of economic and organized crimes including cyber offences like advanced fee fraud popularly known as 419, drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism which continue to pose threats to lives and properties both locally and internationally.

A report by the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Economic and Organised Crime bill said Ghana's obligation in support of a global action plan towards combating these crimes had over the years resulted in the passage of a number of legislations.

The report, signed by Mr Innusah Fuseini, Chairman, said the Narcotics Drugs (Control and Sanctions) Act, 1990 (P.N.D.CL 236) sought to combat dealings in narcotics and made provisions for assistance that may be rendered by Ghana to foreign states in relation to drug related matters.