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By Samuel Asamoah
The West Africa Director of International Justice Mission, Anita Budu, has called for increased funding and stronger collaboration to combat human trafficking in Ghana, warning that traffickers are increasingly exploiting digital platforms and sporting opportunities to target vulnerable youth.
Speaking at the media launch of this year’s Blue Day ahead of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Ms Budu said the growing sophistication of trafficking networks demands urgent action from government, the media, civil society and the public.
Addressing stakeholders including officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Members of Parliament, civil society groups and media practitioners, she described a recent case involving 76 young Ghanaians trafficked to Nigeria under the guise of football opportunities as a disturbing example of modern human trafficking.
According to her, the victims were allegedly recruited through social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp with promises of football contracts abroad. Upon arrival in Nigeria, however, their phones and documents were reportedly confiscated while they were held in overcrowded conditions and forced to demand money from their families under false pretenses.
Some of the victims were also allegedly coerced into cyber fraud activities.
“This is not just a story of deception; it is a story of trafficking,” Ms Budu stressed, adding that human trafficking continues to occur within Ghanaian communities and across the world.
The event was held under the theme, “Human Trafficking Can End: The Time is Now – Blow the Whistle on Sports Trafficking,” which organizers said reflects growing concerns over the exploitation of young athletes and sporting dreams by criminal networks.
Ms Budu commended the collaborative efforts of the Ghana Police Service, Interpol and Nigerian authorities, which reportedly led to the rescue and repatriation of the victims and the arrest of suspects connected to the operation.
Despite the successful intervention, she noted that the incident exposed weaknesses in preventive systems, particularly in the monitoring of online recruitment activities and the protection of vulnerable youth before departure from Ghana.
The IJM Director also underscored the critical role of the media in combating trafficking through public education and responsible reporting.
“You are not just storytellers; you are first responders to truth,” she told journalists, urging media practitioners to help break the silence surrounding trafficking cases and encourage safe reporting through law enforcement agencies, trusted community leaders and ethical journalism.
Ms Budu further appealed to government to increase allocations to the Human Trafficking Fund to strengthen prevention campaigns, law enforcement operations, survivor support services and prosecution efforts.
She also encouraged institutions, corporate bodies and individuals to contribute to the fund to support anti-trafficking interventions and rehabilitation programmes for survivors.
“As we build up to World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, our message is simple: This is the time to act to end human trafficking,” she stated.
The event forms part of activities leading to the global observance of Blue Day, which seeks to raise awareness on human trafficking and mobilize support to end exploitation and abuse.
