MoGCSP STRENGTHENS ANTI-TRAFFICKING DRIVE WITH ORIENTATION FOR NEWLY INAUGURATED BOARD

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) through the Human Trafficking Secretariat on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, held an orientation meeting for members of the newly inaugurated Human Trafficking Management Board, marking another decisive step in Ghana’s fight against human trafficking.

Chairing the meeting, the Minister, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to tackling human trafficking in all its forms. She noted that the Board, established under Section 28 of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) and supported by Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2219), is mandated to coordinate all issues relating to trafficking—spanning prevention, punishment, and the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims.

The Minister stressed the urgency of the Board’s work, describing human trafficking as a “multifaceted crime requiring a united and strategic response.” She highlighted the Ministry’s National Plan of Action (2022–2026), anchored on four thematic areas—Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership—providing a holistic roadmap to combat the menace.

The Minister also shared recent progress: between 2023 and 2024, 382 cases were investigated by the Ghana Police Service, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), and the Ghana Immigration Service. These efforts resulted in 79 prosecutions and 54 convictions, with penalties ranging from fines to jail terms of five to eighteen years.

Facilitating the session, Madam Abena Anobea Asare, Director of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, delivered detailed presentations on the roles, responsibilities, and challenges facing the Board.

She underscored the importance of understanding the legal framework, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and supporting policy implementation to effectively address human trafficking.

Source: MoGCSP