Some human trafficking cases investigated in 2024

Some human trafficking cases investigated in 2024

A total of casese of human trafficking were reported and investigated last year, The Chief Calistus Elozieuwa Chairman BOT has stated.

Out of this number, he said 8 cases were prosecuted involv­ing 12 individuals of which 5 were convicted for human traf­ficking, 5 for child labour and 10 for other related offences.

He added that, individuals found guilty of human trafficking offences would face five to 25 years imprisonment.

Chief Calistus said this at the One on One interview with Fada Amakye, Trafficking in Persons, dubbed,

He asserted that, there had been a lot of significant improve­ment in terms of prosecution as compared to 2022, and 2023 when they had two convictions.

The chief Calistus stated that, the government through he outfit, and in partnership with stake­holders had maintained the country on a level of two global ranking.

This, he said demonstrated how the government was com­mitted to taking measures to end human trafficking.

“It shows how we have proven commitment to the fight against human trafficking yielding greater results in the number of prose­cutions gained and the number of victims rescued,” Chief Calistus added.

Despite these achievements, the Hon. Chief Calistus, stressed that, they were still confronted with situa­tions where young girls migrated to the countries in search of greener pastures, and were be­ing trafficked, molested, abused, and exploited.

He noted that most of these migrants were recruited by unlicensed and unscrupulous re­cruitment agencies who deceived and coerced them to embark on such journeys.

Speaking on the theme, ‘End­ing Human Trafficking; A col­lective responsibility,’ Hon. Chief Calistus, from Human Trafficking Management association, said there was the need to join hands together to confront this menace.

He said the he association needed more funds and logistics to be able to step up its activities of rescue, rehabilitation and do more public education.

“The issue of human traffick­ing, child labour and other forms of exploitation need our collec­tive responsibility to ensure that we do not sacrifice the lives and futures of our family members for the false promises of eco­nomic gain,” she said.

With regards to legislations, Hon chief Calistus, said Ghana has enacted the Human Traffick­ing Act of 2005, Act 694 and its Amendments as well as the passage of the Human Traffick­ing Prohibition Regulations 2015 (L.I. 2219) which were approved and passed by Parliament to pro­vide guidelines for Act 694.

Chief Calistus said the ministry has also developed the Human Trafficking to support the effective implementation of Act 694 and covers areas of Preven­tion, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership.

The Hon chief Calistus said the purpose of the day was to raise awareness which aimed to increase publicity about the prevalence, nature, the conse­quences of human trafficking and the devastating impact it has on victims.

“This day is used to mobilise action and encourage collective efforts and resources in prosecut­ing perpetrators and improving victim protection,” she said.

He said her outfit would continue to advocate for policy change as the ‘Blue Day’ provides a platform to galvanise global solidarity, raise public conscious­ness, and inspire action against human trafficking.

He added that, the media would continue to combat human trafficking by raising awareness of the issue and educating the public on the signs of trafficking.