Move to prosecute parents on child trafficking

Sogakope (V/R), Sept. 26, GNA - Parents and guardians who continue to indulge in child trafficking activities would now be prosecuted, Mr Wilbert Tengey, Executive Director of African Centre for Human Development (ACHD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Friday warned.

He said that so far the ACHD has not taken any action against any of those culprits because it felt that appeals would make them to stop the practice.

Mr Tengey said this at the presentation of educational and other training materials to rescued trafficked children from the Ningo, Ada-Ocanseykope and Sogakope at a ceremony in Ada-Foh and Sogakpoe, respectively.

The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) provided funding for the anti child trafficking, rehabilitation and integration of children with their parents.

He said the aim of ACHD was to eliminate child trafficking, which had become another form of slave trade in the system.

Even though, slavery has been abolished long ago child trafficking, which is another form of slavery is rearing its ugly head.

Mr Tengey said the ACHD has so far been able to rescue 118 children from slavery. They were from the Ada, Ningo and Sogakope.

"Child trafficking is an evil practice, child trafficking is an atrocious practice and must be stopped. It not a pleasant thing to be rescuing children from slavery," he said.

Mr Tengey also appealed to Queen mothers, opinion leaders and parents in the area to help curb the habit of trafficking children from the communities.

Mr Rogild Jakobsen, DANIDA Representative, said DANIDA took keen interest in issues and organisation related to children especially those under exceptionally deprived conditions.

"Children and young people are key resources on which a country can draw to create sustainable development."

He said his organization would promote the respect for the rights of children and young people, and would, therefore, support initiatives to fight against injustice and exploitation of children. 26 Sept. 03