By Patrick Biddah

Ghana’s fight against human trafficking, has recorded significant progress, especially over the past decade, as the country marks 20 years since the enactment of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694).

 At a media launch ahead of the World Day Against Human Trafficking, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, announced key milestones, including the implementation of survivor support systems, enhanced law enforcement training, and improved collaboration with civil society organizations.

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection,  Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, speaking at the Accra City Hotel on June 24, stated that Ghana had made “meaningful strides” in combating trafficking, with notable interventions in the areas of prevention, prosecution, protection, and partnership.

According to  the Minister, whose speech was read on her behalf , the operationalization of adult and child shelters, as well as transit shelters for victims, stands out as one of the major achievements.

These shelters offer trauma-informed care, psychosocial support, and serve as temporary homes for rescued victims, many of whom are key witnesses in ongoing prosecutions.

Another significant milestone is Ghana’s current Tier 2 ranking on the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report.

The ranking acknowledges Ghana’s increased efforts in law enforcement, victim care, and public education, even though more work remains to be done to fully meet the minimum international standards.

The minister emphasized that Ghana’s response is backed by a strategic national framework—the Human Trafficking National Plan of Action (2022–2026). This comprehensive document outlines the government’s roadmap in addressing trafficking across four main pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership.

This year’s local theme, “The Human Trafficking Law @ 20: The Journey So Far in Ghana”, reflects a moment of reflection on both progress made and areas that require intensified action.

It aligns with the global theme for the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind.”

Despite the progress, the Minister, acknowledged a host of ongoing challenges. Key among them is the lack of dedicated shelters for adult male victims, an area that remains under-resourced despite the growing recognition that men, too, are trafficked for forced labour, especially in construction and agriculture.

Lartey, also highlighted how Ghanaian youth—especially women—continue to fall prey to trafficking syndicates.

“These criminal networks lure victims with false promises of overseas jobs, only to subject them to sexual abuse, forced labour, starvation, and trauma once abroad, particularly in parts of the Middle East”, she indicated.

She lamented that some victims who attempted irregular migration routes through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea have ended up dead, stranded, or mentally broken.

 “We have seen videos and read reports of our brothers and sisters dying in boats, washed ashore, or trapped in unknown countries,” she noted solemnly.

The Minister, called on all stakeholders—including traditional leaders, law enforcement, CSOs, and the media—to intensify awareness efforts and support for victims.

 She stressed the need to avoid criminalizing survivors who may return under difficult circumstances or through deportation.

Experts at the event, including Professor Leander and other trafficking researchers, reiterated that human trafficking is now the second most profitable global illicit trade after firearms, and surpasses even drug trafficking in some regions.

 Estimated at over $30 billion annually, the illegal industry continues to thrive on poverty, weak regulation, and limited cross-border collaboration.

Stakeholders agree that poverty and the desire for better economic opportunities remain the root causes driving Ghanaians to accept risky travel options, often unaware of the dangers.

Many believe that only a multidimensional approach—spanning education, youth employment, community support, and tighter regulation—can effectively stem the tide.

In her closing remarks, Dr Lartey,, reminded Ghanaians that human trafficking is not an abstract threat but a real, present danger that demands collective vigilance and courage.

 “Let this not be another commemoration. Let it be a recommitment—to defend the vulnerable, to prosecute the guilty, and to protect the future,” she urged.

As Ghana prepares for the global observance on July 30, the Ministry, reaffirmed its pledge to pursue policies and partnerships that ensure no one is invisible, no one is exploited, and no one is left behind.