5th Elders and Women Intercultural Dialogue: Organisers meet Diaspora Affairs boss

In a move to solidify its preparation towards a successful 5th African Elders and Women Intercultural Dialogue  slated for 29th July to 1st August 2025 at Accra Ghana, the team of organisers  led by  Nanahemaa Obaapa Awindor met with the Chief Diaspora Office of the President Ghana ,Hon. Kofi Okyere Darko on the 4th of June 2025.

The participants at the meeting included the executive director of All Africa Media Network (AAMN) Mr. Cookey Iwuoha and Ghana bureau Chief of AAMN Mr.Femi Ijimakinde,  Kim Poole ,the founder of Teaching Artist Institute ,Ruth Afoko of Global Africa Sheroes Union  Ghana Chapter were led by Her Royal Highness Obaapa Adjoa Anyaa (Nanahemaa Adjoa Awindor) .

In her capacity as the Chairperson, of the Global Africans Against Slavery ( GLAAS) a multi-sectoral coalition dedicated to combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling across Africa which is a project of the African Elders and Women Intercultural Dialogue.

The discussion at the meeting hinged on the request for collaboration with Diaspora Office of the President Ghana for the Elders and Women Intercultural Dialogue taking place  at the British Council and Africa Trade House Ghana on the theme- Born Free; Exploring the Economic, Cultural, Social and Political Intricacies Sponsoring Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling in Today’s Africa.  

 “We express our sincere gratitude to you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet us, and greatly appreciate your office willingness to align with us not just for the Dialogue but also in our on- field engagement against trafficking in persons with Global Africans Against Slavery (GLAAS)  established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, GLAAS aligns with the African Union’s Ten-Year Action Plan (2020–2030) to eradicate child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, and modern slavery ” Nanahemaa Adjoa Awindor said.

The Chief Diaspora Office of the President Ghana Honourable Kofi Okyere Darko expressed his pleasure in receiving the 5th AEWID contingent led by Nanahemaa Adjoa Awindor and shared his own engagements on issues of human trafficking across the border  of Ghana and its neighbouring nations and  how deeply concerned he is of the issue and assured the organisers of the 5th African Elders and Women Intercultural Dialogue of his Office collaboration and commitment to the cause.

GLAAS was inspired by the vision of AAMN and associates which was led by guidance of H.E. Mrs. Fatoumata Tambajang Jallow, former Vice President of The Gambia, who provided foundational insights during the 2nd African Elders and Women Intercultural Dialogue held in Abuja on 25th September 2018. Over the past five years, GLAAS has grown into a robust coalition of over 40 member organisations across 15 African countries, as well as partners in the USA.

“ We are elated to know that you share  the same passion with us on the subject of the dialogue which aims at amplifying the challenge, and dangers that human trafficking and migrant smuggling pose to our communities and the African society at large” Nanahemaa Adjoa Awindor said.

Globally, 27% of victims are children, 66% of which are young girls and children are more likely to be forced into physical labor exploitation.

While men and boys are victims of human trafficking, women and girls are disproportionately impacted, making up about 70% of all victims. Women and girls are also most likely to be victims of forced marriages, human sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ghana, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) African Women Development Fund (AWDF), Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Ghana, UN Women Nigeria, West African Women Association an aegis of (ECOWAS), Woodin, participated and collaborated with AAMN and its associates on the success of the events so far.