The Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) in collaboration with Expertise France organized a media launch towards the commemoration of the United Nations Day (UN) against Human Trafficking.
The event, which took place on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, was themed “Ending Human Trafficking: A Collective Responsibility.”
The goal of the launch was to strengthen the country’s coordinated efforts while also raising public awareness of the risks of child labour, human trafficking, and other types of exploitation through media channels.
On behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Lariba Zuweira, the Deputy Minister for MoGCSP, Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah, stated that the Government of Ghana has retained Ghana’s tier two global position through coordinated efforts.
According to her, this demonstrates how the government is taking substantial steps to prevent human trafficking.
“It demonstrates how we have demonstrated commitment to the fight against human trafficking, yielding greater results in terms of prosecutions obtained and victims rescued.” she added.
She urged parties working in the field of human trafficking to always adhere to the standard operating procedures established to assist government agencies in meeting set targets and goals, while also encouraging them to refrain from establishing duplicate government organizations.
According to the Deputy Minister, law enforcement personnel reported and investigated 108 cases in 2022. 31 instances involving 57 individuals were prosecuted, with 37 convictions obtained for human trafficking, 10 for child labor, and10 for other associated charges.
Madam Abena Annobea Asare, Head of the HTS, delivered a welcome statement on behalf of Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Ministry’s Chief Director, and stated that the Ministry, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will continue to organize a series of activities to raise awareness about human trafficking issues.
She urged everyone to remain cautious and to join the fight by reporting any suspected cases to law enforcement officials for investigation.
Anna LIXI, Head of Sector Governance and Security at the EU Delegation to Ghana in her statement said the EU and its member states have taken pragmatic measures to fight trafficking in humans beings are stepping up their efforts to stop this heinous crime.
She reaffirmed EU’s commitment to partner the MoGCSP and other donors to fight human trafficking in the subregion.
Globally, Ghana observes the World Day against Human Trafficking also known as ‘the Blue Day’ every year on July 30.
European Union in Ghana Expertise France golfe de Guinée Appui à la lutte contre la traite des personnes – ALTP.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
