Engage Now Africa deepens collaboration with Nigerian High Commission on human trafficking reintegration
Engage Now Africa, a non-governmental organisation has strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian High Commission following a working visit from Consular Hassan Abdul Malik Gonah to its Accra office.
The visit comes in the wake of the successful rescue and reintegration of 67 Nigerian survivors of human trafficking, a coordinated effort involving Engage Now Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Ghana Police Service, and the Nigerian High Commission.
During the engagement, discussions centred on improving the reintegration process and enhancing support systems for survivors. Madam Lydia Ohenewa Sarah, formerly Programme Manager and now Programme Consultant at Engage Now Africa, briefed the consular on the organisation’s ongoing commitment to ensuring safe transitions for victims of trafficking. The First Lady of Nigeria also contributed to the efforts by providing a vehicle for transporting the rescued individuals and conveyed appreciation to all involved stakeholders.
The meeting followed the recent reintegration of two additional Nigerian nationals, prompting Consular Gonah’s interest in the scope of work undertaken by Engage Now Africa. His visit provided an opportunity to assess firsthand the organisation’s approach to survivor support and explore further collaboration.
Emphasising the importance of due diligence, Consular Gonah outlined the key questions the Commission considers during reintegration assessments, including the identity of traffickers, duration of victims' stay in Ghana, and their living conditions. These questions, he said, are vital to the Commission’s preventive and protective strategies.
Mr. Afasi Komla, Director of Engage Now Africa, highlighted challenges at Ghana’s porous borders, noting that human traffickers often exploit unapproved entry points. He called for deeper partnerships with the Nigerian High Commission and border control agencies to counter these vulnerabilities effectively. He also underscored the need for timely communication, agreeing with the consular’s recommendation that the Commission be informed at least 24 hours before any reintegration process begins.
Frank Ayim, Engage Now Africa’s Greater Accra Regional Representative, shared insights on preventive strategies to reduce the trafficking of Nigerian nationals, stressing the importance of early community-level intervention. In response, Consular Gonah acknowledged the difficulties immigration authorities face in tracking victims who bypass official border routes, adding that a proactive approach to prevention remains critical.
To further bolster anti-trafficking initiatives, Mr. Afasi revealed that Engage Now Africa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ensign Global University. The agreement paves the way for the adoption of a public health approach to combating human trafficking, aiming to introduce structured frameworks for both prevention and victim support.
Consular Gonah expressed strong interest in this collaborative direction and accepted an invitation to attend Ensign Global University’s graduation ceremony in November. He praised the meeting as constructive and expressed optimism about future cooperation.
The visit marks a significant step in regional efforts to combat human trafficking, reaffirming the importance of cross-border partnerships and institutional collaboration in safeguarding vulnerable populations.