Capacity building programme on human trafficking & irregular migration

In a proactive effort to combat human trafficking and irregular migration, a two-day capacity-building programme was held on Wednesday 9th, and Thursday 10th July 2025, in Accra for law enforcement officers drawn from various security agencies.

The training, organized by the Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with Our Rescue Ghana, brought together officers from the Ghana Police Service, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Immigration Service, and other relevant agencies.

The objective of the programme was to strengthen the capacity of frontline officers to identify, investigate, and respond effectively to cases of human trafficking and irregular migration, while also enhancing inter-agency collaboration.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, Madam Abena Annobea Asare, stated that human trafficking remains one of the most pervasive and destructive crimes in the country.

She explained that the global theme, “Leave No One Behind: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges” underscores the need for capacity-building initiatives like this to empower law enforcement officers.

According to her, the training is designed to equip officers with the necessary tools, knowledge, and sensitivity to identify trafficking indicators, disrupt criminal networks, and uphold the rights and dignity of victims.

She further noted that over the years, the Ministry has built the capacity of 1,750 law enforcement officers from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, EOCO, and the Customs Division.

The Head of the HTS also commended the recent successful prosecution of a 32-year-old Ghana-based Nigerian woman, who was sentenced to over 25 years imprisonment in May 2025 for multiple offences, including human trafficking.

Madam Abena Annobea Asare urged the officers to allow the training to serve as a catalyst for real change on the ground where justice is not only done, but seen to be done, and no one is left behind.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General/CID of the Ghana Police Service, the Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department, DSP William Ayiriga, elaborated on the key roles the Police Service continues to play in addressing human trafficking.

He encouraged participants to harness the collective strengths of all relevant stakeholders, stressing that no single institution can win the fight alone.

In a solidarity message, the Country Manager of Our Rescue Ghana, Mr. Fred Akweter, commended the Ministry and the Human Trafficking Secretariat for their leadership and coordination in combating human trafficking.

He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting law enforcement officers in the ongoing fight against human trafficking and irregular migration in Ghana.

Participants were taken through topics such as basic concepts of human trafficking, identification and investigation of trafficking cases, distinctions between migrant smuggling and human trafficking, modern trends, and the consequences of these crimes, among others.