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“The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs’ inaction in addressing the alarming rate of child sex trafficking in Accra, particularly in Circle, Agbogbloshie, and other areas, is utterly unacceptable. Children as young as 8-14 years old, including non-Ghanaians from neighbouring countries like Nigeria, are being exploited. These vulnerable children, some of whom are not in school, are forced onto the streets at night, exposed to unimaginable dangers.
I recently witnessed this firsthand when I passed through Circle with my son. He asked me, “What are these young girls doing?” Before I could respond, someone nearby chimed in, “Dem be ashawo” (“They are prostitutes”). My son, with a curious mind, then asked, “What is ashawo?” I quickly replied, “Let’s discuss it later when we get home.”
This incident highlights the harsh reality of child sex trafficking in our city. The Ministry’s failure to address this issue is not only a disappointment but also a betrayal of trust.
The root causes of child sex trafficking include:
• Poverty and lack of education
• Unemployment and economic hardship
• Social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality
• Corruption and lack of effective law enforcement
• Limited access to education and opportunities for vulnerable children
"We are treated like animals, forced to sleep with many men every night," says Ama, 12 years old.
"I was promised a better life, but now I'm trapped in this nightmare," laments Akua, 12 years old.
"I've lost count of how many men have abused me. I just want to go back to school," pleads Adwoa, 13 years old.
"I'm forced to take drugs to forget the pain, but I know I'll never forget the trauma," reveals Abena, 14 years old.
"I miss my family and friends. I just want to go home," cries Yaa, 12 years old.
I cry thinking about how our children's futures are being wasted. Our leaders in charge today, in 2024, are not interested in their well-being but only in fattening their accounts with money and expensive residences. It's heartbreaking to see our children's potential being destroyed by the very people supposed to protect them.
Let's pray for a better leader for this country, Ghana, who will make it a point to ensure our children's future is attainable. May God have mercy on Ghana, as the current leadership under the NPP is failing our children.
I further delve into this situation and to my surprise, these young girls of 8 and 13 years are usually on the streets in the night and have not been going to school. 40% of these young girls are not Ghanaians but come from neighbouring countries like Nigeria at most. The question is, where are immigration officers when these children are brought into the country? What at all is the ministry doing to bring this situation to normalcy?
The ministry’s focus should not only be how to milk money in the name of these children without necessarily providing a future for them. They should get out of their sleeping abode and hit the streets to work. Too much laziness and lackadaisical attitude from our ministers is killing this country, and all their interest is money, big cars with big nyash, and nothing else.
Their mandate includes safeguarding children’s rights, preventing child abuse, and supporting vulnerable families. Yet, they seem content with merely “milking money” in the name of these children, without providing meaningful assistance or a secure future.
According to the Ghana Police Service, over 1,000 cases of child sex trafficking were reported in 2022 alone. The International Justice Mission estimates that 2,000-3,000 children are victims of sex trafficking in Ghana each year. 75% of these children are between 8-14 years old. 40% of these young girls are not Ghanaians but come from neighbouring countries like Nigeria.
We demand that the Ministry of Children and Women Affairs:
1. Conduct thorough investigations into these cases
2. Collaborate with law enforcement and immigration officials to prosecute perpetrators and prevent further trafficking
3. Provide support services, education, and safe havens for victims
4. Implement preventive measures to end child sex trafficking
It’s time for our ministers to move from mere lip service to tangible action. We need dedicated leaders who prioritize the well-being of our children and country, not just personal gain and luxuries. Enough is enough!”
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
As an advocate for Children's Protection and Women’s Empowerment, and also as an Assembly Member for the people of Aborlove Nolopi Electoral Area in the Keta Municipality, I am appalled by the Ministry of Children and Women Affairs’ inaction in addressing the alarming rate of child sex trafficking in Accra, particularly in Circle, Agbogbloshie, and other areas.
The stories of these children are heartbreaking, and it’s unacceptable that our leaders are not doing enough to protect them. As someone who has dedicated their work to ensuring the rights and well-being of children and women, I demand more action from our government.
I need our leaders to take concrete steps to prevent child sex trafficking, protect these vulnerable children, and hold perpetrators accountable. Our children’s futures depend on it.
I will continue to use my platform to amplify the voices of these children and women, and to push for policies and programs that prioritize their protection and empowerment.
I stand in solidarity with organizations dedicated to child protection and women’s empowerment, including:
UNICEF Ghana
- Plan International Ghana
- Ghana Women’s Agenda (GWAG)
- The International Justice Mission (IJM)
- World Vision Ghana
- The Ghana Police Service’s Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU)
- The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
- The Department of Social Welfare
- The Ghana Education Service
- The National Council on Child Abuse
- The Coalition on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
- The Women’s Rights Initiative
- The Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre
- The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana
- The Ghana Association of Women Entrepreneurs
- International organizations:
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- International Labor Organization (ILO)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- European Union’s Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
- The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW)
- The International Center for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC)
Notice to the Ministry of Children and Women Affairs:
I demand immediate action to address child sex trafficking in Ghana. Failure to do so will result in further protests, petitions, and advocacy efforts to ensure our children’s safety.
Enough is enough. Let’s work together to create a safer, more just society for all.
