Woman jailed three years for trafficking two boys to Yeji

Agona Swedru (C/R), Jan. 20, GNA - An Agona Swedru circuit court has jailed a 40-year-old woman from Winneba three years for trafficking two children from the town to Yeji for fishing in the Volta Lake. Comfort Sam pleaded guilty.

The husband, Mr Kofi Sammy, who was alleged to be part of a syndicate for the trafficking of the children, is also awaiting trial. Prosecuting Police Superintendent Martey told the court presided over by Mr N. K. E. Osam that in August last year, Challenging Heights, a local Non-governmental organisation, came into contact with the two children.

He said the "masters" of the children, Mr Sammy and Madam Sam were contacted by the field officers of the NGO for their release and reunion with their parents.

He said the children, who were sent to Yeji at the ages of 6 and 8, worked for 12 hours without food and without proper medical care. The prosecution said the couple demanded 1,200 Ghana Cedis being money they claimed they paid to the relatives before taking the children but the NGO refused and reported the matter to the Winneba and Yeji police.

The Yeji police asked the couple to send the children to the police station but Mr Sammy got frightened upon receiving the message and sent the children, now 9 and 11 years, to Winneba on November 18 2009, without sending them to their relatives. Mr Martey said a member of the Challenging Heights surveillance team was informed about the arrival of the children and a report was made to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Department of Social Welfare in Winneba who put the couple before the court.