World Day Against Human Trafficking commemorated: Parents advised to be wary of traffickers

Parents have been advised against handing over their children to people who promise them juicy offers since such people may be human traffickers.

The Country Manager of OUR Rescue, an NGO, which works to combat child sexual exploitation and human trafficking, Fred Akweter, said children were easy prey of human traffickers.

He, therefore, urged parents to scrutinise who they entrusted their children to instead of falling prey to money or material benefits that came with it.

Mr Akweter said many children who became victims of human trafficking ended up being forced into prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, thus, inhibiting their growth and development.

“We must protect our children because they are the future leaders of this country. If we go about giving our children out to human traffickers, we are not only destroying their future but the future of this country.

“Human trafficking is the same as slavery so if we speak against slavery, why should we condone human trafficking or allow ourselves to be used for human trafficking, especially our children.

“Let us support the police to fight this menace. We don’t want our children to become victims,” he said.

Event

Mr Akweter was speaking during a sensitisation programme at Ekumpoano in the Ekumfi District in the Central Region as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Day Against Human Trafficking, on the theme: “Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking.”

The event was organised by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, in partnership with OUR Rescue and other NGOs such as Engage Now Africa, International Justice Mission (IJM), Global Freedom Network and Challenging Heights.

Human trafficking is the unlawful act of transporting people for the purposes of exploitation within and across borders by use of coercion, threats, force, abuse, deception and power. 

Collaboration

The Head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) William Ayaregah, said the practice was a form of organised crime that transcended borders.

He, therefore, said it was imperative for the public to support the police and other law enforcement agencies to combat it.

Mr Ayaregah said victims of human trafficking were vulnerable people with no means of defending themselves against the powerful elements who engaged in such a heinous crime.

“We must work together to eradicate human trafficking and build a world where every child is safe, cherished and free from exploitation,” he added.