Public advised to assist to combat human trafficking

A Political Officer at the Embassy of the United States of America, Mr. Fred F. Odisho, has called on Ghanaians to promptly report cases involving human and child trafficking to the security agencies in the country.

The move, according to him, would enable security personnel to swiftly apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of such crime.

His comments come on the back of reports that about 190,000 individuals are trafficked in Ghana to indulge in many obscure enterprises such as forced labour and commercial sex.

Mr. Odisho, who was speaking at a ceremony organized in Accra by Engage Now Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to eradicating modern slavery in Ghana, described human trafficking as a grave concern in the country.

He intimated that the way to address the trend is to increase sensitization and education of the citizenry to keep them abreast with the hazards of human trafficking.

During a presentation session at the forum, participants appealed to the government to provide funds and incentives to support institutions and organizations aligned to the eradication of human trafficking in the country.

In an interview with Onua FM, the Assistant Director of End Modern Slavery at Engage Now Africa, Mr. David Kofi Awusi, bemoaned that despite the legal framework in place, efforts at eradicating the menace has not been encouraging.

He attributed it to financial constraints faced by organizations such as DOVVSU and Social Welfares, and the lack of public education on the menace.