Police inaugurates Human Trafficking Unit in Kumasi

Kumasi, Dec. 21, GNA - Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Frank Adu-Poku, Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has called on the public to help clamp down on human traffickers. "It is cruel, inhumane and can be described as a modern day slavery, which robs children and victims of their humanity, dignity, future and sometimes their lives and has to be done away with." DCOP Adu-Poku was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Human Trafficking Unit of the police, in Kumasi, at the weekend. It attendance were officials from the Immigration, Fire and Prisons services as well as the Military and the Customs Excise Preventive Service (CEPS).

The Director General said trading in human beings is one of the most heinous crimes that could be perpetrated by any person against a fellow human being and must be eradicated from the society. "It is a challenge to the security services in general and the police in particular, in dealing with such cases", he said. Mr Adu-Poku encouraged the citizenry not to hesitate in reporting all forms of human trafficking to the law enforcement agencies for action. He said human trafficking could be by cohesion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power and giving or receiving payments and benefits to achieve consent.

The Director General charged the police to collaborate with the other security agencies and stakeholders to eradicate the menace. He assured the public that their identity would be kept secret whenever they "feed the police with information". The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr Patrick Timbillah said 120 police personnel had been given a two-day capacity building training, to man the office, which was carved from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU). The personnel have been trained on how to sensitize the public on the meaning and challenges of human trafficking. Madam Anima Wilson, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, commended the police for the new Unit and said it was in the right direction and timely as human trafficking threatens national development. She attributed the practice, which is gaining roots in the society to poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, poor family planning system, and cultural practices.