Ghana upgraded to Tier 1 in 2026 US Trafficking in Persons Report

Ghana has been upgraded to Tier 1 in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report by the United States Department of State following improvements in efforts to combat human trafficking.

The report published by the US Department of State said the country met the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking, citing an increase in prosecutions and convictions, the identification of more victims, and increased funding for anti-trafficking activities.

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It also highlighted Ghana’s efforts to tackle online scam operations linked to fraudulent recruitment and forced labour, including cooperation with other countries to investigate cases and raise public awareness.

However, the report identified gaps in victim support services, the regulation of recruitment fees and the capacity of law enforcement officials to investigate cyber-related trafficking cases.

According to the report, Ghana investigated 222 human trafficking cases in 2025, including 83 involving sex trafficking, 132 involving forced labour and seven involving unspecified forms of trafficking.

Authorities prosecuted 212 suspected traffickers during the year. Of these, 31 were prosecuted for sex trafficking, 57 for labour trafficking and 124 for unspecified forms of trafficking.

The country also secured 28 convictions, comprising 14 sex traffickers and 14 labour traffickers. Most of those convicted were sentenced to at least one year in prison.

The figures represent an increase in prosecutions and convictions compared with 2024, when Ghana investigated 273 cases, prosecuted 65 suspected traffickers and convicted 25 people.

The government also continued 15 investigations and 14 prosecutions from previous years.

The report said Ghana worked with INTERPOL and foreign governments on law enforcement operations, including those targeting online scam networks.

These operations led to the identification and repatriation of 756 foreign trafficking victims to their home countries.

Despite the progress, the report said Ghana continued to face challenges in providing shelter services, particularly for adult trafficking victims.

It also noted that the government had not banned recruitment fees paid by workers, a practice that can leave people vulnerable to exploitation.

Law enforcement officials also lacked specialised training and equipment to investigate trafficking-related cybercrimes.

The report said officers sometimes used their own money to provide temporary assistance to victims because of limited shelter capacity.

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Victims in rural communities also faced difficulties accessing the formal justice system, while some courts lacked judges and prosecutors trained to handle trafficking cases.

Although 18 courts had specialised training, procedures and facilities designed to support women and child victims, the report said gaps remained in the wider justice system.

MAG/VPO

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