‎Human Trafficking Act @ 20: IJM Calls for Deeper Partnerships and Survivor Leadership to End Exploitation in Ghana ‎

‎Anita Budu, Director, IJM West Africa Program


            Reported By Azaglo Michael 


As the world commemorates this year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Ghana reaches a historic milestone: two decades since the landmark passage of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694).

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‎Speaking under the national theme "Human Trafficking Act @ 20: Advancing Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership in Ghana , The Journey So Far," Anita Budu, Director of International Justice Mission (IJM) West Africa Program, delivered a compelling address calling for reinforced partnerships to define the next 20 years of justice reform.

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‎Addressing a high-level assembly of policymakers, law enforcement leaders, civil society actors, and survivor leaders, IJM recognized the instrumental presence of key government officials, including:

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‎Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Honorable Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection

‎Dr. Marian Kpakpah, Chief Director

‎Abena Anobea Asare, Director of the Human Trafficking Secretariat

‎DCGI Faisal Disu, Deputy Comptroller General (Operations & Command Post), Ghana Immigration Service

‎COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General, Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Ghana Police Service

‎Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare, Members of Parliament, development partners, and survivor advocates.

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‎"Prevention, protection, and prosecution are only as strong as the partnerships that enable them. The Act provides the framework,partnership brings that framework to life."

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‎Anita Budu, Director, IJM West Africa Program‎ in her address said ,Drawing on IJM’s 11 years of operations in Ghana and nearly three decades of global anti-trafficking work, Budu emphasized that public justice systems function best when integrated. 

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‎When investigators, prosecutors, social welfare agencies, and community leaders align, offenders face a vastly higher risk of accountability ,creating a direct deterrent effect.

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‎The address highlighted three concrete pillars driving progress across Greater Accra, Volta, and the Central Region:

1. ‎Civil Society Coordination

‎The Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking (CNACT) demonstrates the power of unified civil society voices speaking in tandem with national priorities.

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1. ‎Survivor Leadership in Action

‎Through groups like the Ghana Survivor Network, former victims are transforming into community advocates. 

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‎A notable case featured a young survivor who has since become a local teacher, actively educating families to prevent child exploitation.

1. ‎Media & Cyber-Awareness Saves 18 Lives

‎Highlighting a recent real-world intervention in partnership with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Budu shared that just two weeks ago, a Ghanaian blogger received an urgent alert regarding young Nigerians trafficked into Ghana under fake job offers. 

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‎Recognizing the signs, the blogger alerted the Ghana Police Service, leading to the swift rescue of 18 young men.

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‎Training programs are currently underway to equip bloggers and digital creators with official referral mechanisms to report suspected cases.

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‎Looking ahead, IJM outlined five non-negotiable commitments to guide Ghana’s anti-trafficking response over the next two decades:

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