To improve government’s efforts in the fight against human trafficking, the Human Trafficking Secretariat under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with Expertise France under the European Union funded project have organised a two day training on shelter management for staff, providing care for victims of child trafficking from 12th to 13th November, 2020 in Accra.

The two day training programme was organised to equip and build capacity of personnel at the designated childrens’ shelter with the requisite skills and technical know-how on how to provide adequate care for victims of human trafficking.

In her opening remarks, the Head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat on behalf of the Chief Director, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, Madam Abena Annobea Asare noted that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is committed to ensuring that government shelters operates with the highest standards in Ghana.

She urged staff of the shelters to work together to ensure that trafficked victims rescued receive the best and adequate care needed.

Mr. Daniel Nonah, the Ag. Director of the Department of Social Welfare admonished the staff to learn and constantly learn from each other to enable them discharge their duties well.

He encouraged them to take advantage of the training to build their capacities as team work is the best remedy to give care and support to others.

Mr. Serge Akpalou on behalf of Expertise France Ghana expressed their profound gratitude to the European Union for the partnership in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana. He said the project will continue to support government in all practicable areas to combat human trafficking in Ghana.

Mr. Francis Yao Kafui Adzraku, Deputy Director and Programmes Manager of the Don Bosco Child Protection Centre who facilitated the training explained that the purpose of the training was to educate and enlighten personnel with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to comprehensively address the needs of victims of human trafficking in line with the internationally recognized best practices as well as national legal framework.

Mr. Francis Yao Kafui Adzraku took participants through the act of human trafficking with emphasis on rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and pragmatic child care.

Madam Victoria Klimova, Counter Trafficking Project Manager of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also gave a presentation on health risks and health consequences of victims.

Mr. Karim Tossa, the Chief lnternal Auditor of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection also took the participants through asset management and financial accountability to ensure funds are well utilised for the intended purposes as well as the consequences of financial mismanagement.

The overall objectives of the training programme was to:

1. Develop the prudent and rational standards of sheltering based on data protection principles and human rights respect.

2. To empower the personnel with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to comprehensively address the needs of victims of human trafficking in line with the internationally recognized best practices as well as national legal framework

3. To develop the skills of self-support among the shelter personnel who work directly with the beneficiaries to recognize and eliminate burn-out syndrome and vicarious trauma