Engage Now Africa enlightens public on Human Trafficking at Ensign Global College

The fight against human trafficking took centre stage at Ensign Global College in a hybrid lecture delivered by Engage Now Africa (ENA). The event, spearheaded by Dr. Sandra Kurshitor, a lecturer at the college, combined in-person and virtual attendance, with over 50 participants joining to deepen their understanding of the issue.  

The lecture was led by Mr. Afasi Komla, ENA’s Director, supported by the End Modern Slavery (EMS) Team. The session highlighted critical aspects of human trafficking, including its definition, types, root causes, and impact on victims and societies.  

Understanding human trafficking

Participants explored forms of human trafficking such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, and domestic servitude. Mr. Afasi outlined contributing factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, emphasizing that traffickers often prey on vulnerable individuals with false job promises.  

Global statistics presented were grim, with the International Labour Organization estimating that 50 million people globally are trapped in modern slavery, disproportionately affecting women and children.  

Economic and health consequences

The economic toll of human trafficking is immense, costing billions globally in lost productivity and enforcement costs. Victims suffer severe physical and mental health challenges, including injuries, sexually transmitted infections, and psychological disorders like PTSD.  

ENA’s efforts and collaborations

ENA’s work in combating human trafficking spans rescue operations, advocacy, and collaboration with institutions like the Ghana Police Service and international networks, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Walk Free Foundation. These partnerships enhance efforts to combat trafficking at national and global levels.  

Mr. Afasi introduced the Public Health Approach as a critical addition to the Criminal Justice Approach in addressing human trafficking. While law enforcement focuses on prosecution, the Public Health Approach emphasizes prevention, immediate care, and long-term rehabilitation for survivors.  

Interactive engagement
  
The session concluded with an interactive Question and Answer segment, addressing challenges of reintegration, NGO roles, and identifying traffickers. Participants received educational materials on human trafficking, and a short documentary highlighted the harrowing experiences of 14 men trafficked to Russia under false promises of employment, only to be forced into military training and combat.  

Dr. Sandra Kurshitor expressed gratitude to ENA and encouraged students to collaborate with the organization on future research projects addressing human trafficking.  

ENA reaffirmed its commitment to ending modern slavery through education, advocacy, and collaboration, inspiring attendees to join the collective fight against this global menace.