The Ada West district Assembly, in collaboration with International Justice Mission (IJM) held a one-day, stakeholders’ workshop on the devasting effects of child trafficking in the district and the responsibilities of the stakeholders to curb this crime against children.
The identifiable stakeholders empowering the safety of children at the workshop were the District Social Welfare and community development officers, the commission on human rights and administrative justice officer, district director of education, director of national commission for civic education, district director of Ghana health services and the information officer. Others are the assembly members, unit committee members, a representative from the traditional authorities, media SOS Village (NGO) representative and community protection committee members.
According to the representatives from IJM, miss Claudia Agyemang Yeboah Esq. and Ms. Zakaria Huda Abigail, child trafficking involves the illegal recruitment, transportation, transfer harboring or receipt of children through the use of force, coercion or deception for the purposes of exploitation. Some of these exploitations can be in the form of forced labour, sex trafficking organ removal, forced marriages of domestic servitude.
IJM is a non-profit organization, working on best interest of children’s right, protection and promotion. They partnered with the Distict, basically because of the notable coastal fishing and salt mining activities to find practical ways to protect child in the district.
It was noted that children or anyone being controlled or moved against their will whether within Ghana or across borders using force, lies, coercion, abduction, deception, abuse of power can be termed as being trafficked.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Philip Dotse disclosed the essence of the meeting. The meeting was aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing best practices and devising effective strategies to combat child trafficking and its related crimes. The meeting is also expected to strengthen networks, create awareness and find lasting and effective solutions to protect children with the district.
Stakeholders admitted that children can engage in light work when he or she is fifteen years (15yrs) and above. This light work, however, must not hazardous and impeding on his health or education. Work such as fishing and mining are not suitable for children because its physically demanding and dangerous for children.
The stakeholders discussed the way forward in the fight against this social canker. Participants were encouraged to report suspected cases to the nearest security service, the social welfare and community development department, the Ghana Health service or the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for rescue.
ISD
12th February 2025