Dr. Afisa Zakaraiah (middle) with the students and participants
The Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has launched the UN Day against Human Trafficking (HT) in Persons.
Themed, “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight against Human Trafficking” the day marked on July 30, each year, highlights the urgent need to prioritise the protection and well-being of children and the most vulnerable who are being lured into human trafficking.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Chief Director MoGCSP, Dr. Afisah Zakaraiah, said most children who become victims of human trafficking end up in illegal activities such as forced labour, slavery, and other forms of sexual exploitation and servitude.
“The event is to increase awareness and community sensitization among the public, educate children to know more about human trafficking and to protect children from being a victim to human trafficking,” she said.
She urged all stakeholders to contribute to eradicating human trafficking in the country to create a world where every child would be free from fear, child labour and assault.
Executive Committee Member of Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking (CNACT), Jacqui Oyimer, said there have been significant progress over the last few years in rescuing HT survivors through the efforts of HTS, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, Civil Society Organisation and other stakeholders.
“We have also seen a significant number of trainings and provision of resources to the Ghana Police Service and other government agencies to help them proactively address the problem,” she added.
Mrs. Oyimer appreciated the HTS on their immense contributions to fight against child trafficking and urged the government and stakeholders to increase investment in protection and intervention program, awareness-raising campaigns and other initiatives to continuously fight against human trafficking.
There were inter-schools debates on human trafficking with Accra Academy SHS and Tesano 1 JHS emerging winners.
By Janet Odei Amponsah