France support fight against human trafficking in West Africa

As part of the French project (French Solidarity Program) to support the fight against human trafficking in West Africa, the Cooperation Officer of the Embassy of France to Ghana, Mr Pierre-Yves Kervennal, presented to some shelters for victims of human trafficking a number of items that will improve the conditions of these centers, which are managed by non-governmental organizations in Ghana.

This donation of materials and equipment in the amount of 18,000 Cedis (US $ 6000) consisted of refrigerators, televisions, computers, mosquito nets, and other items. Three shelters for victims of human trafficking have benefited: the Don Bosco Child Protection Center of Tema, the Center for Abused Children in Osu, Ghana and Make a Difference Shelter home of Mankessim. These shelters host respectively 80, 35 and 60 minors who have endured unfortunate episodes of fraud, work contract scam, or even violent kidnappings. Once rescued, these young victims need to be protected and rehabilitated by social workers to ensure their safe return to their families and reintegration into society. This is the goal of one of the components of the project funded by France by an amount of € 800,000 over three years.

In addition to this donation of equipment, other activities were held on the theme of the protection of victims of trafficking, including training for social workers of NGOs (training in psycho-social care of victims, training on legal support, the mobilization of financial resources).

The International Organization "PLAN-France" which promotes education, health, child protection and development around the world is responsible for the implementation of these activities. Plan-Ghana, which is the local branch of PLAN International, has established a network of local NGOs who are active in this sector, to help them in their work of assistance to child victims of trafficking and children who endure forced-labor.