The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has marked this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, also known as Blue Day, with a national event held at Efua Sutherland Park in Accra, rallying support for a unified fight against human trafficking.
This year’s commemoration, themed “Leave No One Behind: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,” also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) — Ghana’s key legal instrument in combating human trafficking.
The event began with a health walk through parts of the capital, drawing participation from a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including representatives from international organisations, civil society groups, law enforcement, and development partners.
Ghana as Source, Transit, and Destination
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and Member of Parliament for Krowor, raised concerns about Ghana’s role as a source, transit, and destination country in global trafficking networks.
She warned of rising cases involving men trafficked for cybercrime and women lured into domestic servitude or sex work under false pretenses.
Dr. Lartey called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration and the dismantling of systemic barriers that hinder the identification of victims and the delivery of timely justice and protection services.
National Unity Against a Global Threat
Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, described the event as a powerful symbol of national unity in the fight against a global menace.
She emphasized that trafficking is not just a criminal issue, but a complex and evolving threat, increasingly driven by digital technologies and transnational crime networks.
“The purpose of this walk goes beyond awareness; it’s about standing together to support survivors, advocate stronger protections, and inspire community-based solutions,” she said.
Dr. Zakariah further urged institutions to integrate the National Plan of Action Against Human Trafficking into their operations, stressing that no single entity can win this fight alone.
Alarming Child Trafficking Data
Christin Lucille McConnell, Chief of Education at UNICEF, highlighted findings from the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, which indicated a disturbing rise in identified victims.
According to her, 944 individuals were referred for services in 2023—up from 574 in 2022—and over half (505) of the 2023 victims were children.
She expressed concern about persistent challenges in reintegrating child victims, including trauma, stigma, and insufficient social support structures.
McConnell also pointed to chronic underfunding of child protection services, noting that only 0.03% of Ghana’s GDP is allocated to child welfare—amounting to just GH¢15 per child.
She further revealed that only 41% of essential social welfare positions are currently filled, leaving some districts with as few as three officers serving populations exceeding 100,000.
The event concluded with renewed appeals for enhanced resource allocation, coordinated interventions, and an all-hands-on-deck approach to ensure that no Ghanaian—especially children—is left vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation, or abuse.