Dear Friend,
I am excited to have you here as I share with you some truths about the compliance journey. You would admit that every life’s journey has a starting point. Some are well-thought-through choices, and others are quite spontaneous. Some are based on well-gathered information, while others are simply other people’s choices for you. This narrative is no different when discussing career paths. Really, nobody grows up dreaming of being a compliance officer—at least, I didn’t. I was tossed into the role without a choice. In the space of a day, I was the “go-to” person for everything, including anti-money laundering. No training. No handover. i.e., the role was non-existent, so of course, there were no handover notes. Just vibes.
The real struggle began. My first month was a whirlwind. Acronyms were flying at me faster than I could Google them: AML, KYC, FATCA, GDPR. I remember asking, “What is compliance exactly?” and getting a smile and a stack of regulations in response. What nobody tells you is that compliance in Ghana isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about navigating unspoken office politics, understanding deeply rooted informal practices, and still having to quote regulatory sections like a lawyer in court.
At first, it felt like being stuck between two worlds: one where “this is how we’ve always done it” reigns supreme, and another demanding transparency, accountability, and structure. I had to quickly learn how to speak both languages i.e., tradition and regulation to help communicate effectively.
I realized that though being tossed into the compliance world was terrifying, it was a great eye-opener. I learned that compliance isn’t just a job; it’s a calling—yes, ‘a calling’ (with daily doses of problem-solving, people management, and deep sighs). But guess what? I stayed. And that’s when the real lessons began.
Until next time, stay compliant and curious! Part 2 of this series is coming soon, don’t miss out on more insights and stories from the compliance journey.”
Cheers!!!
Comply&Thrive 