Human trafficking in Ghana is reaching alarming levels, with hundreds of children and adults falling victim to forced labour and exploitation.
As traffickers adapt their tactics, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service is intensifying efforts to dismantle trafficking networks, prosecute perpetrators, and reunite victims with their families.
In a decisive move to strengthen the country’s response to human trafficking, the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), organized a two-day intensive training program in Kumasi.
The program brought together key stakeholders, including police investigators, labor inspectors, social workers, health professionals, and human rights officials, to equip them with the skills to identify, prevent, and respond to forced labor and human trafficking cases.
A Growing Crisis
Forced labour and human trafficking are thriving in Ghana, particularly in informal sectors such as fishing, agriculture, domestic work, and commercial sex exploitation.
Vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, are often lured with false promises of jobs and a better future, only to find themselves trapped in inhumane conditions.
Last year, the AHTU secured nine convictions, comprising seven Nigerians and two Ghanaians, marking significant progress in the fight against trafficking.
However, the increasing sophistication of trafficking networks calls for stronger partnerships and continuous training of frontline responders.
Police and Stakeholders Strengthen Response
Facilitated by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) William Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and Detective Inspector Emmanuel Gyamfi Yeboah, the training emphasized the Four Ps of anti-trafficking efforts: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership.
Prevention: Raising awareness in communities to stop trafficking before it happens.
Protection: Ensuring the safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration of rescued victims.
Prosecution: Strengthening legal actions against traffickers to deter future crimes.
Partnership: Collaborating with international organizations, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies such as Interpol to track and dismantle trafficking rings across borders.
DSP Ayaregah stressed that no single institution can fight human trafficking alone, calling for stronger partnerships with the United Nations, International Organization for Migration (IOM), and civil society organizations to provide long-term support for victims.
Empowering Stakeholders to Fight Trafficking
The training, attended by 40 participants from four districts—Asunafo North, Bibiani, Ayensuano, and Assin South—covered critical areas such as: Identifying trafficking victims and risk assessment, Ghana’s legal framework on human trafficking, Investigating trafficking cases in informal sectors, Interviewing vulnerable victims and Strengthening community-based prevention efforts.
By the end of the training, participants demonstrated a stronger understanding of human trafficking laws and investigative techniques. Many committed to fostering collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring that victims are rescued promptly and traffickers are brought to justice.
A Call for Action
Despite the gains, much work remains to be done. The police and stakeholders recommended regular training programs to keep pace with evolving trafficking tactics.
They also urged the government to establish clear referral pathways to ensure that rescued victims receive proper care and rehabilitation.
Community engagement is also seen as a crucial tool in prevention. Many trafficking cases occur in rural areas where awareness is low, making it easy for traffickers to deceive victims. By empowering communities with knowledge, they can serve as the first line of defense against trafficking networks.
A Renewed Commitment to Justice
The battle against human trafficking in Ghana is far from over, but with enhanced training, stronger partnerships, and increased public awareness, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders are determined to dismantle trafficking networks and restore dignity to victims.
The Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit remains resolute in its mission: to rescue victims, prosecute offenders, and prevent further exploitation.
With continued national and international support, Ghana is making strides toward ending modern-day slavery and ensuring that no one falls prey to traffickers again.
