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The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has commemorated the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, also known as Blue Day, with a call for collective efforts to combat human trafficking.
The call was made by the Minister of MoGCSP and Member of Parliament for Krowor, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during the celebration at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra yesterday, on the theme: "Leave no one behind: Breaking barriers, building bridges."
It also marked the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) in the country.
The event featured a health walk with participation from representatives of international partners, civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies, and other development partners.
The minister said the country was a source, a transit, and a destination for trafficked persons, with alarming trends, including the trafficking of men for cybercrime and women for domestic and sex work under false job promises.
She, therefore, stressed the need for stronger collaboration, deeper understanding, and the removal of all barriers that prevent victim identification, protection and justice.
The Chief Director of the ministry, Dr Afisah Zakariah, underscored the importance of the event as a symbol of national unity and shared commitment to eradicating human trafficking.
She explained that the purpose of the walk was to raise awareness about the scourge of trafficking and its devastating impact on individuals and communities, foster unity in supporting survivors, and also advocate stronger laws, policies, and community-driven interventions.
Dr Zakariah pointed out that trafficking was not merely a crime but an ever-evolving threat, with traffickers exploiting digital tools and transnational networks to carry out their operations.
“The fight against human trafficking cannot be done by the government alone. Neither can it be done by one institution. It is, therefore, important for all institutions to collaborate,” she added.
The Chief Director reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to act and urged other stakeholders to operationalise the National Plan of Action in their respective institutions to ensure no human in the country was exploited, trafficked or abused.
“I know there are challenges, but we as experts understand them and are positioned to address them. Together, let us make a difference and create a Ghana where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” she said.
Concerns
The Chief Education at UNICEF, Christin Lucille McConnell, said in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, the government identified and referred 944 trafficking victims for services, an increase from 574 victims in 2022. Out of the 2023 figures, 505 were children.
Despite these concerns, child victims remain high as they continue to face significant challenges, including stigma, trauma, and barriers to reintegration.
She also revealed that only 0.03 per cent of the nation’s GDP in 2024 was allocated to child protection services, an amount that translates to just GH¢15 per child, which falls far below what is needed to deliver essential services.
In addition, only 41 per cent of the minimum required government social welfare positions were filled, with an average of just three social welfare officers serving populations of more than 100,000.
