Features
Stop toying with the lives of our babies and infants!
Historically, Ghana has had the full range of childhood diseases that are endemic to a sub-Saharan country. There are six target diseases of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). These are measles, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and tuberculosis. In recent times, hepatitis B and pneumonia have been added to the list of childhood killer diseases in Ghana.
And as the medical experts will put it, pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death among children under five years old, killing approximately 700,000 children a year in many parts of the world. A child dies from pneumonia every minute, even though the disease is entirely preventable and can be managed early with antibiotics.
ROUTINE VACCINES
From eight weeks of age, your child needs to be offered routine vaccines to protect him or her against the most common infectious diseases, such as polio, whooping cough, measles, tetanus, and hepatitis B, among others. Other vaccines, which include BCG, are offered to babies who are considered to be at high risk of catching certain diseases. This will protect them against tuberculosis, the flu, and hepatitis B.
For my readers and other patrons who may not be familiar with the six childhood killer diseases, their causes, and symptoms, I will like to take them down memory lane with some of these diseases from the research I have conducted as a journalist to show them how deadly they can be to children and infants so that when people are toying with their lives, they can easily speak out.
MEASLES
Measles is a highly infectious disease and spreads when someone with the disease sneezes or coughs. It starts like a bad cold, with a rash appearing after three days. The disease can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and convulsions (seizures or fits). In rare cases, the disease can cause inflammation of the brain. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the chest and throat. It spreads when someone with the disease sneezes or coughs. The symptoms include a thick, white coating on the throat and breathing difficulties. A severe case can cause damage to the heart and nervous system or even be fatal.
TETANUS
Tetanus, sometimes called lockjaw tetanus, can cause painful muscle spasms and stiffness. The disease can be fatal if not treated. The bacteria that causes tetanus is found in soil and animal manure and can enter the body through a cut, wound, or burn. Tetanus can also get into the body through animal bites, body piercings, and tattoos. Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease. It spread through coughing and sneezing. It starts like a cold, but the coughing spasms with a distinctive “whoop” become severe. Babies and young children are most at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and, rarely, brain damage and subsequent death.
POLIOMYELITIS
Although the majority of people who catch polio are able to fight it off without noticing any symptoms, more serious complications can happen. In about one per cent of cases, the virus attacks the nerve tissue in the brain and the spinal cord, which can cause temporary and sometimes permanent paralysis. Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by hepatitis viruses that can lead to serious liver disease in later life. It can be caught from infected blood and passed from mother to baby at birth. People can carry the virus in their blood without being aware of it.
MENINGITIS
Meningococcal bacteria are the cause of meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia). The bacteria have several strains, and this vaccination is against most B strains. Meningitis is a serious illness that can cause long-term damage to the brain and nervous system and even be fatal. Flu is another disease cause by infectious virus and can be treated with antibiotics. Children are more likely to have the flu during the winter season. The symptoms are similar to a cold but also include a fever, aching muscles and joints, a dry cough, a runny nose, diarrhea, and vomiting.
SIDE EFFECTS OF VACCINES
All medicines, including immunisation, can cause some mild side effects, even the safest ones. It may help to know what to expect, just in case your child does experience side effects.
The issue that has brought about this piece of education was the recent report in the Daily Graphic over the widespread shortage of vaccines used for the routine immunisation of babies from birth to 18 months, including those for polio, hepatitis B, measles, and tuberculosis.
REASONS FOR SHORTAGE
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) attributed the shortage to the depreciation of the cedi vis-à-vis the importation of vaccines abroad and assured the general public that efforts were underway to resolve the problem within weeks. However, the Pediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) has warned that the childhood diseases could quickly spread if the vaccines are not made available in good time.
It is worthy of note that for about six months now, nursing mothers have been complaining of the shortage of vaccines meant for babies from birth to at least 18 months. The situation became worse in February this year after major health facilities in 10 out of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana, kept turning nursing mothers away due to the erratic supply of vaccines. Hear one of these nursing mothers speak to the Voice of America (VOA) in an interview: “My baby girl missed one of the key vaccines last month, and the situation has not changed after combing three health centers on Monday. It has been frustrating moving from one hospital to another”.
UNICEF’S OBSERVATION
According to the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), timely vaccination of children has been proven as a method for saving lives from vaccine-preventable diseases. It can also help attain some targets, like UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. It noted that the UNICEF Ghana office had seen a significant fall in deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, since 2003, there have been no deaths caused by measles, while in 2011, Ghana was certified as having attained elimination status for maternal and neonatal tetanus.
PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY OF GHANA
Meanwhile, Dr. Agyeiwaa Bomedie, a member of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, has urged the government to act now in order not to erode the gains made so far. “It’s the first time I am hearing of such widespread shortages. We do have shortages from time to time; however, those are in very limited circumstances. The problem this time is that it has gone on for several months. This should actually be a thing of the past. The government should be encouraged to do what we call ring-fenced funding so that budgetary allocations for vaccines are actually protected no matter what other dire or pressing needs the country has; the children should be secured in that light,” she pointed out.
Health Minister Before Parliament
Realizing the seriousness of the shortage of these childhood vaccines and how it is affecting babies and infants, who are the most vulnerable in the country, Parliament recently summoned the Health Minister, Kwaku Manu-Agyeman, to appear before the House to answer questions concerning the shortage and how best his ministry and, for that matter, the government are doing to remedy the situation. In his reaction, the minister allayed the fears of Ghanaians and promised that the vaccines would start arriving in a few weeks, stressing that “no child has died yet as a result of the shortage.” Indeed, the country has received a first shipment of the vaccines, which we are told are being distributed throughout the country.
POOR SHOW BY GOVERNMENT
Honestly, the government has not done well with the handling of this shortage of childhood vaccines in the country. How can we sit down and allow the vaccines to finish completely before taking steps to tackle the situation? We were told that the country has been in debt to its suppliers since 2022, and we should have settled this debt in order to plan ahead.
It was time our leaders placed the interests of the people above their personal interests and stopped investing money in winning elections because it was the people who put them in positions of trust. We are interested in spending money to issue voter’s and national identity cards, but we do not want to provide the needed funds to procure childhood vaccines. What kind of behaviour is this?
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By Chales Neequaye
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.
