Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) has scaled up effort to end trafficking in persons in Ghana by appealing to the youth to eschew trafficking.
The Chief Director of MOGCSP, Dr Afisah Zakariah, said the Ministry is rallying support for the youth to serve as ambassadors against trafficking.
Dr. Zachariah who represented the Sector Minister, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey made the statement in Accra at the Launch and Commemoration of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (Blue Day).
She expressed worry that the country was a transit, as well as a destination point of human trafficking.
She said approximately, about 100 children were trafficked every year and they included those in their shelter.
Dr Zakariah therefore called for the creation of a world where all children were free from fear and exploitation, and also enjoyed their formative years in safety.
She explained that the launch was to create awareness among the public and young people of the dangers associated with human trafficking.
On his part, the Project Manager of International Organisation of Migration (IOM) Ghana, Mamadou Lamine Kane, mentioned some of the dangers associated with human trafficking to include victims returning to the country with mental health challenges and other medical conditions that could impact negatively on their well-being and their sustainable reintegration.
He described trafficking in persons as a crime and a grave human rights violation that affects women, men and children.
Mr Kane revealed that last year, IOM supported more than 1,300 irregular migrants and around 50 victims of trafficking, who returned safely to Ghana.
He said they were assisted with shelter, medical care, food items and also reintegrated.
He expressed the commitment of IOM to assist the government fight human trafficking, and thanked the MOGCSP for their support.
This year’s celebration, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), the International Organisation on Migration (IOM) and other partners, is on the theme: “Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking.”
on July 30, every year, the day is used to raise awareness, promote the protection of the rights of trafficking victims and encourage governments, organisations and individuals to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
