Accra, March 16, — The International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana has reported that more than 500 child trafficking victims have been rescued in the country over the past ten years through collaborative efforts with state justice institutions.
While progress has been made in addressing trafficking, gaps remain, including limited shelters for victims and insufficient resources for agencies tasked with investigations, victim support, and prosecutions.
Ms Anita Budu, Director of West Africa Programmes at IJM Ghana, disclosed the figures during the first Public Justice System Leaders’ Summit in Accra. The summit aimed to strengthen collaboration among justice sector institutions in combating human trafficking.
The event brought together leaders from the Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, and the Office of the Attorney-General from the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions. Discussions focused on inter-agency coordination and trauma-informed approaches in handling trafficking cases.
Ms Budu highlighted IJM Ghana’s work since 2015, which includes rescue operations, community awareness campaigns, and capacity building for public justice actors. She said:
“To date, we have seen over 500 vulnerable victims removed from situations of harm, more than 235 suspects arrested, and over 70 convictions secured.”
She called for greater state investment to ensure that justice institutions have the necessary resources to tackle trafficking effectively.
Mr Andrews Dodzi Adugu, Senior State Attorney and Focal Person for Human Trafficking Prosecutions in the Volta and Oti regions, highlighted challenges in cases along the Volta Lake, where children are often forced into hazardous labor. He noted that limited shelters and logistical difficulties complicated the prosecution process, though several convictions had been secured.
Dr Anastasia Kpei Mawudoku, Greater Accra Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, urged justice sector actors to prioritise their wellbeing to better support victims.
Participants stressed the need for sustained collaboration among institutions to strengthen investigations, improve survivor care, and enhance prosecutions of trafficking cases nationwide.
GHBUSS
16 March 2026
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