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Police rescues 523 from human trafficking
At least 523 persons including 391 children who were trafficked have been rescued by the Police across the country for the past two years.
Similarly, 44 children were also rescued in the first quarter of this year.
The victims who were between the ages of five and 17 years were used on the farms, fishing,and child prostitution, among others.
The Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent(C/Supt) Mike Baah, disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday stating that 132 adults were also rescued and cited poverty and deception as the major causes of human trafficking in the country.
He stated that as part of efforts to address the situation in the country, the Unit would intensify its education and sensitisation programmes to the public on the negative effects on the country.
“We have identified the sources and receiving areas and we will intensify our sensitisation and the education on the negative effects of child trafficking to the nation and intensify our collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the security agencies and the non-governmental and faith-based organisations to minimise the canker,
“The capacity of personnel and other security agencies are being built on trafficking issues and given the best skills and knowledge to detect such cases and the law enforcement agencies will enforce the law to ensure offenders are not let off the hook and to serve as deterrent to others,” C/Supt Baah indicated.
He stressed the need to protect the rights of children in the country with some of the trafficking cases sometimes resulted in death and maiming of the children and the rescued children were sent to Shelter for protection while others were reunited with their families.
C/Supt Baah explained that some of the adults of other nationals who were trafficked for prostitution had been repatriated to their countries in collaboration with their respective Embassies.
He said suspects arrested within the two-year period were put before court and some were convicted ranging from five to 18 years and cautioned parents to desist from giving out their children for money, adding that “the practice is criminal and when caught will be arrested and prosecuted if established that as parents you are accomplices in human trafficking cases.”
C/Supt Baah appealed to the public and the media to be vigilant in their communities, and report such culprits to the police for immediate action and to collaborate with the AHTU on its sensitisation and education drive to clamp down on such activities.
Source: www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh
Entertainment
Breaking News: Daddy Lumba is dead – Family announces
Ghanaian music legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, has died.
His family confirmed the sad news in a press release issued on Saturday, saying the 60-year-old passed away earlier in the day after a short illness.
“It is with profound sorrow and deep grief that the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon,” the statement read.
Daddy Lumba was one of Ghana’s most celebrated highlife musicians. With a career spanning more than three decades, his songs touched millions, telling stories of love, pain, joy, and hope.
He was known for his powerful voice, emotional lyrics, and unique style that made him a household name across the country and beyond.
“His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience,” the family said.
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn their loss and promised to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.
The statement was signed by Fati Ali Yallah, a lawyer from Baba Jamal & Associates, on behalf of the Fosu family.
Fans, fellow musicians, and Ghanaians across the country have started pouring out tributes on social media, remembering Daddy Lumba’s unmatched contribution to Ghanaian music.
Entertainment
Edem’s debut album gets praise from Sarkodie
Ghanaian rap star Sarkodie has celebrated fellow artiste Edem for his groundbreaking debut album “The Volta Regime”, calling it one of the greatest albums in Ghana’s music history.
In a heartfelt social media post, Sarkodie, whose real name is Michael Owusu Addo, reflected on the first time he heard Edem rap.
He said he was instantly impressed and knew Edem would have a serious impact on the music scene.
“I remember when I first encountered my brother Edem, I came back home to tell one of my hommies that this guy will have a serious impact on the music scene,”
“He was like naa because of the language barrier. I said I don’t hear language, I hear greatness. Big up my brother, you are still on my favourite emcee list.” Sarkodie wrote.
Edem, born Denning Edem Hotor, released The Volta Regime in 2009. The album boldly embraced the Ewe language and featured collaborations with top Ghanaian artists including Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, and Jeremie Van-Garshong.
Despite initial doubts about how well Ewe rap would perform commercially, the album proved to be a major success and introduced a new wave of local-language hip-hop.
Songs like Bra Fre Me, Nyorvuviade, and the powerful Intro helped establish Edem’s lyrical prowess and cemented his place as a unique voice in the Ghanaian music industry.
At a time when the local scene was dominated by Twi and Ga-speaking rappers, Edem’s success broke barriers and made it clear that talent speaks louder than language.
His impact opened doors for more linguistic diversity in hiplife and hip-hop music across the country.
Sarkodie’s tribute is especially meaningful because both artists emerged around the same period. Sarkodie’s own debut album Makye also dropped in 2009, and the two have long shown mutual respect for each other’s craft.
Today, over 15 years after its release, The Volta Regime continues to inspire fans and artists alike. It remains a symbol of bold originality and cultural pride.
Edem has since released several projects and remains an active voice in Ghanaian music and youth advocacy. His legacy is a reminder that true greatness is not limited by language.
