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Illicit financial flows (IFFs) generated by the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector in West Africa have historically contributed to conflict and instability, although it would be a mistake to classify this issue as a criminal matter, given its links to formal and informal networks and local livelihoods. This study examines IFFs associated with the ASGM sector in Ghana and Liberia and reveals a complex web of informal and illicit activity associated with IFFs, with detrimental consequences for development. It focuses on gold because of its prominence in the West African Region and artisanal small-scale mining (ASM), rather than large-scale mining (LSM). Further, ASMG is largely informal and consequently more vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks, and plays a prominent role as a local livelihood. This case study is relatively narrow in focus, providing insights into the nature and scope of ASGM activities and their resulting IFFs, and making several observations on those areas where action could be taken in an effort to reduce IFF risks. The study selected Ghana and Liberia as two countries where research could be conducted, and where gold is a major industry.

Ce rapport est une première étape vers la construction d’une analyse plus qualitative de la manière dont les activités illicites ou criminelles interagissent avec l'économie, la sécurité et le développement des États de la région de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. L’analyse traditionnelle des flux financiers illicites met généralement l'accent sur l'ampleur des flux monétaires. Ce rapport vise à dépasser cette approche en examinant la nature de treize économies illicites ou criminelles, qui sont souvent liées quand elles ne se renforcent pas mutuellement, avec pour objectif d'identifier les flux financiers et les impacts sur le développement qui en résultent.  En adoptant cette approche, le rapport identifie les réseaux et les facteurs qui permettent à ces économies criminelles de prospérer, et met l'accent sur les acteurs et les incitations qui les sous-tendent. En conclusion de ce travail, le rapport propose une série de considérations politiques pour aider les pays à hiérarchiser et à cibler leurs réponses afin de réduire les impacts sur le développement des flux financiers illicites. Pour résoudre le problème des flux financiers illicites, il faut prendre en compte les défis sous-jacents liés au développement et s'attaquer au problème dans sa globalité dans les pays d'origine, de transit et de destination.

Corruption has a devastating impact on developing and transition countries, with estimates of $20 billion to $40 billion per year stolen by public officials, a figure equivalent to 20 to 40 percent of official development assistance flows. The return of the proceeds of corruption— asset recovery—can have a significant development impact. Returns can be used directly for development purposes, such as improvements in the health and education sectors and reintegration of displaced persons, with additional benefits of improved international co-operation and enhanced capacity of law enforcement and financial management officials. Development agencies and those committed to development effectiveness have a role in the asset recovery process. They have made international commitments to fight corruption and recover the proceeds of corruption in the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness: Accra Agenda for Actions, held in Accra, Ghana, in 2008, and in the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness: Partnership for Effective Development, held in Busan, Republic of Korea, in 2011. Despite these efforts, there has been difficulty in translating these commitments into concrete action. This StAR-OECD publication reports on how OECD countries are performing on asset recovery. Drawing on data collected between 2006 and 2012, the report provides recommendations and good practices, and suggests specific actions for development agencies. Few and Far is primarily intended to support the anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts of developed and developing jurisdictions, with a particular focus on actions for development agencies. In addition, civil society organisations engaged in governance and development issues may wish to use these findings and recommendations in their reports and advocacy efforts.

Corruption and other governance problems result primarily from processes generated within the domestic political economy. There are major international factors, however, that interact with domestic processes: international drivers of corruption. This report introduces an analytical tool to help readers understand how these international drivers of corruption affect governance and corruption at the country level. It provides a means for identifying those drivers that matter most for domestic governance, as well as opportunities for international actors to work more effectively to improve governance in specific country contexts.