Ghanaian Pastor receives Dutch Award.

Pastor Tom Marfo, a native of Piase in the Ashanti Region and resident in Amsterdam, The Netherlands is one of the 3 beneficiaries of the prestigious ?Marga Klompe Foundation Award 2002? for his immense dedication to rescuing of victims of women trafficking.

The award is reportedly the first of its kind to an African and comes along with a cash prize.

For several years, the eloquent Pastor has rescued lots of women, especially teenagers who are lured to Europe from Africa from their ?masters?.

Lots of these women mainly from Nigeria and other surrounding countries are often entangled in huge financial commitments amidst occultism and voodoo practices.

Until they pay these ?masters? varying sums between $40, 000 and $80,000 they are forced to engage in illicit acts such as prostitution.

Fear of being killed or justice being meted out to their relatives back home prevent these women from escaping.

Pastor Tom Marfo?s CARF organization provides shelter, food and offer prayers to these victims. In some instances, he assists them to find alternative jobs to support their livelihoods.

In a congratulatory telephone interaction with the Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Pastor Marfo has been granted audience to present problems facing African Migrants in The Netherlands. He is expected to raise the issue of legalization and verification bothering selected African Migrants.

When asked by Sankofa Television how he felt, he replied: ?this award is for all of us. God has done it again?.