Purpose

Alternate remittance systems (ARS) are inherently not illegal; however, the nature of their activities has mostly been linked with money laundering and terrorist financing, which raises several questions as to why businesses in Ghana rely on these systems to conduct their cross-border trade. The purpose of this study is seeks to understand the nature of ARS in Ghana and analyse why business owners rely on them for their transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Three companies were selected for the case study analysis. This research paper used a qualitative data analysis for the study. Interviews, direct participant observation and documentary review were the main techniques for data collection. The multiple sources of evidence helped to reduce the potential bias of the single method.

Findings

This paper found that some businesses using the system in Ghana can acquire unsecured loans at little or no interest cost, which provides a good source of funding to support business growth. Unlike other studies, this study proves that in some instances, ARS operators transact business with the clients they do not, particularly trust. Within the context of this study, this paper found evidence that supports money laundering, but the underlining crime is mostly tax evasion. The adoption of the system is an attempt to disguise the proceeds of the tax evasion crime and clean them through business operations.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis was based on the strain theory from the perspective of the clients. Future studies can focus attention on the ARS operators and understand their perspectives. Several other fraud theories could be used as a lens to understand the phenomena in Ghana and other jurisdictions.

Practical implications

The study throws more light on a “secret” or an underground banking system that operates in Ghana. It provides insights that can guide regulatory authorities in their policy implementation. The need for stricter enforcement of the law has also been highlighted.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is original, as it focuses on a sector that is highly secretive but has significant implications on the Ghanaian economy.

中文翻译：

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加纳的替代汇款系统：贸易推动者或有组织的欺诈

目的

替代汇款系统 (ARS) 本身并不违法；然而，他们的活动性质主要与洗钱和恐怖主义融资有关，这引发了一些问题，即为什么加纳的企业依赖这些系统进行跨境贸易。本研究旨在了解加纳 ARS 的性质，并分析企业主为何依赖它们进行交易。

设计/方法/途径

选择了三个公司进行案例研究分析。本研究论文使用定性数据分析进行研究。访谈、直接参与者观察和文件审查是数据收集的主要技术。多种证据来源有助于减少单一方法的潜在偏差。

发现

本文发现，在加纳使用该系统的一些企业可以以很少或没有利息成本获得无抵押贷款，这为支持业务增长提供了良好的资金来源。与其他研究不同，这项研究证明，在某些情况下，ARS 运营商与他们不信任的客户进行业务往来。在这项研究的背景下，本文找到了支持洗钱的证据，但强调的犯罪主要是逃税。该制度的采用，是企图将偷税漏税犯罪的所得通过经营活动进行隐蔽清洗。

研究局限性/影响

该分析基于客户角度的应变理论。未来的研究可以关注 ARS 运营商并了解他们的观点。可以使用其他几种欺诈理论作为了解加纳和其他司法管辖区现象的镜头。

实际影响

该研究进一步揭示了在加纳运作的“秘密”或地下银行系统。它提供了可以指导监管机构实施政策的见解。还强调了更严格执法的必要性。

原创性/价值

据作者所知，这项研究是原创的，因为它关注的是一个高度机密但对加纳经济具有重大影响的部门。