This year’s UN Day against Trafficking in Persons has been launched in Accra, with a call on young people to be ambassadors against the practice.

Commemorated on July 30, every year, the day seeks to raise awareness, promote the protection of the rights of trafficking victims and encourage governments, organisations and individuals to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.

This year’s celebration, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), the International Organisation on Migration (IOM) and other partners, is on the theme: "Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking." 

Dangers

The Project Manager of IOM Ghana, Mamadou Lamine Kane, mentioned some of the dangers associated with human trafficking to include victims returning to the country with mental health challenges and  other medical conditions that could impact negatively on their well-being and their sustainable reintegration.

The event

He described trafficking in persons as a crime and a grave human rights violation that affects women, men and children. Mr Kane said last year, IOM supported more than 1,300 irregular migrants and around 50 victims of trafficking, who returned safely to Ghana.

He said they were assisted with shelter, medical care, food items and also reintegrated. 
The manager expressed the commitment of IOM to assist the government fight human trafficking, and thanked the MOGCSP for their support.

The Chief Director of MOGCSP, Dr Afisah Zakariah, said the country was a transit, as well as a destination point of human trafficking. She said approximately, about 100 children were trafficked every year and they included those in their shelter.

Dr Zakariah called for the creation of a world where all children were free from fear and exploitation, and also enjoyed their formative years in safety. On the launch, she explained that it was to create awareness among the public and young people of the dangers associated with human trafficking.

Collaboration

The Executive Committee member of CNACT, a civil society organisation, Jacqui Oyimer, called on the government, law enforcement agencies and the entire nation to collaborate and protect children from being trafficked.

She also stressed the need to prosecute perpetrators while calling for the provision of comprehensive support services for survivors. “In the same way, political actors who seek to use their office to interfere in cases or facilitate trafficking in any form should be exposed and prosecuted without fear or favour,” Ms Oyimer added.

A member of the Human Trafficking Management Board, Eric Peasah, also called for increased public education of human trafficking and the need to improve intra-agency coordination of the practice.

As part of the launch, a debate was organised between first and second cycle schools on sports and its relationship with human trafficking.

Accra Academy beat Odorgonnor Senior High School to emerge winners in the SHS division, while Tesano “One” Junior High School beat Police Depot JHS for the title in the first cycle debate.