895 trafficked Ghanaians rescued

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), Mrs Cynthia Morrison has revealed that about 895 victims of human trafficking have been rescued since 2017 by the ministry in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Economic and Organised Crime Organization (EOCO)

Addressing a programme in Accra covered by MyNewsGh.com, she described the figures as encouraging compared to those of previous years but added that her outfit would intensify efforts to combat human trafficking across the country.

She explained that the efforts were necessary since perpetrators were now using all strategies to maintain their grip on the trade through various means.

The event on the theme: “Together we end human trafficking now”, was held in collaboration with the Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking (CNACT) and supported by the British High Commission.

Mrs Cynthia Morrison explained that the ministry, under its Human Trafficking Secretariat, had rehabilitated 29 victims at its female adult shelter since February 1, 2019, adding, “We would also like to revive the entire Anti Human Trafficking Unit of our law enforcement agencies, especially the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration service, to equip them to fight the menace.”

She added that they were also increasing awareness of human trafficking particularly in the communities and focusing on implementing policies on human trafficking.

Touching on some challenges, the Minister mentioned inadequate funding, inadequate shelter in the regions and the unwillingness on the part of the people to change their mindset about migration.

According to her, young people were eager to travel outside the country due to lack of jobs but was quick to add that the government was doing all it could to provide enough jobs for the youth.

In the light of this, she called on the public to actively support the fight against human trafficking and cautioned young people of the dangers out there, commending the Ghana Immigration Service and the Police for intercepting 66 ladies who were about traveling to Lebanon and other gulf countries.