Features
Kamala Harris’ visit: Significance
• President Akufo-Addo with US Vice President Harris
The visit to Ghana by US Vice President, Her Excellency Kamala Harris, did not come about merely out of the blue but as a result of systematic and deliberate calculation on the part of the US government, seeing that Ghana is a great country in Africa and plays an important leadership role on the continent.
The leadership role played by Ghana can be seen in terms of peace, democracy, rule of law, economic development, and matters relating to security. These are issues that are of great importance to both Ghana and the United States.
VISIT
Against this background, the visit by Kamala Harris is significant in a number of respects. To begin with, the visit is meant to promote cordial relations between the two countries. The US is far away from Ghana and separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
In spite of this, the two countries are so close to each other because the world has become a global village, and what happens in one part of it affects the other. For instance, developments in Ghana can affect residents of the US, just as happenings in the US can also affect Ghana.
COLLABORATION
In the world of today, there is competition in the area of trade and other activities, but in spite of this, there is a need for great collaboration with each other. This collaboration can come in the form of economic cooperation, economic growth, and trade with each other. It is only when countries embark on this venture or go in this direction that there can be meaningful growth and development between countries.
Collaboration between Ghana and the US has become very necessary because no country is an island. For a country to be able to promote its economy, that country will have to collaborate economically with another. In light of this, the US has found it necessary to seek economic cooperation with Ghana in the interest of both parties.
Economic partnership in this manner has become very necessary. The two countries already have good relations, but in the world of today, there is a need to deepen this relationship so as to maximise the interests of both countries. Indeed, the visit to Ghana can be placed within the larger context of US-Africa relations.
SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP ROLE
Ghana is highly respected in the US because of the significant leadership role it plays in Africa. The US cannot visit all countries in Africa at the same time, but it chose to visit Ghana to symbolise its desire to promote US-African relations.
The just-ended visit focused on economic growth with Ghana, which is seen as an important player on the African continent. As was pointed out by Kamala Harris, it is the intention of the US to stimulate economic growth in Ghana and promote investment in the country. The promotion of investment is very important because that is what will lead to economic growth.
ENSURING SAFE SECURITY
In addition, the US is more interested in ensuring safe security on the African continent. Security is very important because, without such security, investment and economic growth cannot be effectively promoted in Ghana and the rest of the continent. In West Africa, the US is aware of the threat that is likely to occur in any country along the West Coast, and that is why it is concerned about helping countries in West Africa protect themselves against needless external aggression. Ghana has taken steps to ward off such possible external aggression but collaboration in this area is crucial not only to Ghana but to its foreign allies like the US.
It is against this background that Kamala Harris announced USD 100 million in assistance to countries in the West African subregion to fight any form of aggression and instability that may be promoted by terrorist activities and terrorism in general. The amount from the US is meant to assist countries like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Togo, and Benin in their preparations against external activities usually stimulated by terrorism.
INFLUENCE GHANA’S EXTERNAL CREDITORS
What is also important about Kamala Harris visit to Ghana is the commitment of the United States to influence Ghana’s external creditors to help with the restructuring of its external debt and make it easier for Ghana to transform its economy. This appeal is most welcome, so Ghana needs to utilise it to achieve the maximum benefit. The US has therefore appealed to Ghana’s external creditors to do all within their power to assist the country in overcoming its economic challenges in order to have a successful encounter in the IMF negotiation.
One striking observation made by Kamala Harris is that Ghana’s economic difficulties have come about as a result of global economic challenges, namely the Russia-Ukraine war and also the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Great minds in the United States have therefore realised that the unfavourable economic conditions in Ghana have come about as a result of factors that are external to the country and over which Ghana has no control.
GREAT CONFIDENCE IN GHANA’S LEADERSHIP
The visit goes to show the great confidence that the United States has in the leadership of Ghana and the desire of the Ghana government to turn things around and make the economy better for all Ghanaians. This explains why a country like the United States is pledging great support for Ghana’s economic programmes to help it overcome its economic challenges.
The visit is very timely, especially at this point in time when external factors have made life unbearable for Ghanaians. It is a positive indication that Ghana is on the right path, and with a little support from its foreign allies, it will be able to overcome the challenges facing it. Compared to other countries in Africa and other parts of the world, Ghana, in spite of its economic difficulties, is very well positioned to strive and come out of its economic challenges. The argument by the opposition in Ghana that there has been reckless spending on the part of the government is neither here nor there, especially coming from people whose only political motive is to destroy the hardworking government in order to get the opportunity to come to power.
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
The positive developments going on in all sectors of the economy show that the country is on the right path, and very soon, the effect of efforts made today will be felt. Kamala Harris has left Ghana and continued to visit Tanzania and Zambia, which are also considered allies of the United States. It is expected that both Zambia and Tanzania will also maximise the potential benefits that they are likely to derive from the visit of the US Vice President.
In conclusion, it is gratifying to note that of the countries in Africa, the US chose to visit three countries, the first being Ghana, in order to deepen its relations on the African continent. Apart from matters relating to economic growth and development and security issues in Africa, the visit at this time was also meant to check the influence of Russia and China on the continent. The world needs peace everywhere, so it is expected that the African continent will pursue the path of peace, not aggression, with all its allies and collaborators to achieve peace, security, economic growth, and a better life for everybody.
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Three days into her work with us, Kwakyewaa became an indispensable member of our team, and our contractors were very pleased with her. She gave them advice on the placement of electrical fittings.
She also contacted a couple of paint specialists and, after joining them to test their quality, we chose their products, which saved me a very substantial amount. On the evening of the third day I drove her home’.
‘Kwakyewaa, we have been so busy we haven’t had the chance to chat’.
‘Yes indeed. I have been hoping we could talk. But why don’t you have your say first’.
‘Okay. The first thing I would like to say is actually a question, and I hope you don’t mind my asking’.
‘Certainly not. Please go ahead’.
‘Well, I, I am really enjoying working with you. You have done quite a lot for us, and I really appreciate that. But I mean that on the personal level, I like being with you, and I wish, er ………….’
‘I like being with you too, apart from the fact that I respect what you are doing, and I wish I could do this on a regular basis. But what about the fact of your relationship with Abena? Even though your relationship is practically over, would it not look funny that within a short time of ending the relationship you quickly grab her cousin?’
‘She’s your cousin, not your sister. And she’s already started a new relationship. Moreover, she doesn’t have any respect for me. You’ve heard the disparaging things she’s being saying about me’.
‘She’s obviously being influenced by Jennifer, but I would have thought that she would at least reflect a little before believing them’.
‘You went to Tech, so you know that this type of thing is common, even though it’s boys who indulge in it. It’s called ‘Takashi’. If you want a girl and you are not confident of winning her normally, you tell her false stories about the guy she’s going out with. Most of the time it doesn’t work, but in this case it has worked. It’s almost funny’. I stopped in front of her home, and just as I was driving off Esaaba called me.
‘David, Mom would like a word with you’. So I locked the car and went in with them.
‘My son David. I learned yesterday that you and Abena have ended your relationship. I wasn’t pleased to hear it, because you know that I have come to regard you as my son. I heard Esaaba and Abena arguing, and when I asked them they said it was due to her decision to stop seeing you. Abena is adamant that she will not change her decision, and in fact she has started going out with another person. So what can I say? I’m glad that you have not stopped coming here, because I want to see you here regularly’.
‘Don’t worry at all Mom. I will be very regular here, and you can always call me whenever you need me’. ‘Thank you, my son. Now, the second thing. I hear Kwakyewaa has started helping you at your office. I also hear that in addition to your job with the EU, you have a big company. I really admire you. You are so humble and hardworking’. ‘Mom, let me tell you this. Kwakyewaa has been extremely helpful to us. She has already made a lot of difference in our work. I am really sorry that she will have to return to France in ten days’ time’. ‘
Ah, but I thought you said you will not allow me to go back. Have you changed your mind? I am thinking of staying for a while’,
‘Ei, Kwakyewaa!’ Esaaba said. ‘What will your parents say? You want to stay for how long?’
‘Mom’, my parents are in London, and I have been in France on my own for two years. I believe that what I’m doing with Bernard is really useful. I’m not even thinking about money. I will stay for a month or two, maybe even three’.
‘Let me correct you there. You will not work for us for one day without being paid. Now, tomorrow, I will take you to my other site, and show you what we are doing there. Then you can take a good decision. For now, Mom, we have something to discuss. Goodnight’.
‘Okay madam Kwakyewaa’, I said as we walked to my car, ‘will you give me a chance? I have really developed feelings for you, and I believe we can get along together. I can assure you that I have nothing to hide, and ……………’
‘You don’t need to talk much. I accept. Unconditionally. Let’s go and take a look at the site tomorrow’.
She called me fifteen minutes after I left their house.
‘David, I’ve told Esaaba. She’s very surprised, and very excited. So it’s official now. She wants to talk with you.
‘Bernard, do you know how I will call what you’ve just done? It’s a smooth transfer, within the same family. Congrats, I’m happy for you’.
These legal provisions strongly resonate with Islamic teachings on the protection of the vulnerable, particularly children and victims of abuse.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) emphatically condemned all forms of exploitation and injustice. He said: “Allah will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection… one who sells a free person and consumes his price” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī). This Hadith directly condemns practices akin to human trafficking, where individuals are commodified for profit.
Additionally, the Prophet (pbuh) stated: “Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones… is not one of us” (Tirmidhī), underscoring the obligation to protect children from harm. These teachings reinforce that exploitation, abuse, and coercion are grave sins in Islam.
Synthesis
While Ghana’s legal frameworks are robust and aligned with both international standards and Islamic ethical principles, the implementation gap remains the primary challenge. Bridging this gap requires not only strengthening legal enforcement but also integrating ethical, religious, and community-based mobilization to reshape societal attitudes and enhance vigilance against trafficking.
The Strategic Role of Religious Leadership
Religious leaders occupy a uniquely influential position within society, functioning not only as spiritual guides but also as custodians of moral order and social cohesion. They command significant social capital, derived from deep-rooted trust, legitimacy, and continuous engagement with community members. In many contexts, they are perceived as intermediaries between the divine and humanity, entrusted with overseeing critical life events such as childbirth, marriage, burial rites, and conflict resolution. This positions them as indispensable actors in shaping both private conduct and public morality.
Theoretical Significance
Within Islamic sociology, religious leaders act as norm entrepreneurs, shaping:
• Moral consciousness by interpreting religious texts in contemporary contexts
• Social norms by defining acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
• Behavioural compliance through moral persuasion and spiritual accountability
Their authority extends beyond ritual functions to influencing socio-political attitudes, making them key agents in combating systemic injustices such as human trafficking.
Why religious leaders are vital in combating human trafficking
Trust and Legitimacy: Communities are more likely to accept guidance from religious leaders than from state institutions alone.
Grassroots Reach: Regular gatherings (e.g., Friday prayers, naming ceremonies, officiating marriages and burial services) provide direct access to large audiences. Religious leaders have access to the entire communities through the roles they play in societies.
Moral Framing: They can redefine trafficking not just as a crime, but as a grave sin (ḥarām), thereby strengthening deterrence.
Cultural Influence: They shape attitudes toward family decisions, migration, and child welfare key entry points for traffickers.
Conflict Mediation Role: Their involvement in family and communal disputes enables early detection of vulnerability and exploitation risks.
Practical Interventions
Normative Reframing
Clearly articulate human trafficking as a severe violation of Islamic principles, emphasizing accountability before Allah.
Sermonic Advocacy (Khutbahs)
Institutionalize anti-trafficking education within sermons, linking scriptural teachings to contemporary realities.
Community Surveillance and Early Warning Systems
Encourage congregants to report suspicious movements or deceptive recruitment practices, fostering collective vigilance.
Imamship Counselling and Family Guidance
Imams provide advisory support to families, particularly in rural areas, to resist false promises of employment or education.
Intersectoral Collaboration
Build partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations such as the International Justice Mission to align moral advocacy with legal enforcement.
Victim Reintegration Support
Facilitate stigma reduction and social reintegration of survivors through compassionate community engagement.
In sum, religious leaders are not merely passive moral voices but strategic actors in social transformation. Their integration into anti-trafficking efforts bridges the gap between law and lived reality, ensuring that legal prohibitions are reinforced by moral conviction and community action.
Ethical Foundations (Conceptual Analysis)
Religious interventions against human trafficking must be firmly grounded in the theological and ethical attributes of Allah, which serve as the ultimate source of moral guidance in Islam. These divine attributes are not merely abstract concepts but functional principles that shape human conduct and social responsibility.
• Al-‘Adl (The Just)
Allah is perfectly just, and His justice (‘adl) denotes absolute fairness, balance, and the uncompromising rejection of oppression (ẓulm). In practical terms, this attribute obligates believers especially religious leaders to actively confront injustice in all its forms. Humantrafficking, which thrives on exploitation, coercion, and inequality, stands in direct opposition to divine justice. Grounding interventions in Al-‘Adl therefore requires advocating for accountability, supporting legal enforcement, and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice while victims receive their rightful protection.
• Ar-Raḥmān (The Universally Merciful)
Allah’s mercy (raḥmah) encompasses all creation, reflecting compassion, care, and benevolence without limitation. This attribute establishes an ethical imperative to respond to victims of trafficking with empathy, dignity, and restorative support. Religious leaders, drawing from Ar- Raḥmān, are called to prioritize healing, rehabilitation, and reintegration, ensuring that survivors are not stigmatized but rather supported in rebuilding their lives. Mercy here extends beyond charity to structured compassion that restores human dignity.
• Al-Ḥafīẓ (The Preserver and Protector)
Allah as Al-Ḥafīẓ signifies ultimate guardianship, preservation, and protection over all beings. This attribute places a collective responsibility on society to safeguard the vulnerable particularly
Women, children, and marginalized groups who are most at risk of trafficking. For religious leaders, embodying this attribute involves proactive vigilance, community education, and the establishment of protective mechanisms that prevent exploitation before it occurs.
Synthesis
When religious leadership is anchored in these divine attributes, it transcends passive moral instruction and evolves into active ethical stewardship. Justice demands resistance to exploitation, mercy ensures compassionate care for victims, and protection mandates preventive action.
Together, these principles transform religious leaders into powerful agents of social justice, capable of mobilizing communities toward the eradication of human trafficking.
Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah and Human Trafficking (Conceptual Analysis)
What is Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah?
Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah refers to the higher objectives and overarching purposes of Islamic law,which are fundamentally designed to secure human welfare (maṣlaḥah) and prevent harm (mafsadah). Rather than focusing solely on legal rules, this framework emphasizes the ethical spirit and societal outcomes of Sharīʿah.
Classical scholars such as al-Ghazālī and al-Shāṭibīsystematized these objectives into five universal protections: religion (dīn), life (nafs), intellect(‘aql), lineage (nasl), and wealth (māl). These are regarded as essential necessities (ḍarūriyyāt) forthe preservation of a just and functional society (Shinkafi & Ali, 2017; Malik, 2015).
Importantly, Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah provides a dynamic and policy-relevant framework, enabling Islamic law to address contemporary challenges such as human trafficking by prioritizing justice, dignity, and human flourishing.
