The event, held in Kpong on August 12, brought together key stakeholders under the theme: “The Public Health Challenge of Human Trafficking – Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration, and Recovery.” The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Afasi, Director of Engage Now Africa and a member of the Commonwealth 8.7 Management Committee for Africa. In his speech, Mr. Afasi emphasized the need for a holistic approach to combat human trafficking, drawing attention to the socio-economic and cultural factors that contribute to modern slavery.

He highlighted the impact of growing poverty, unemployment, inequality, and gender-based violence, noting that these issues often push individuals towards migration, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

Mr. Afasi also addressed the role of African cultures in human trafficking, pointing out that while African communities possess many positive cultural values, harmful traditional practices can lead to the exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. He urged for a critical examination of these practices to better protect those at risk.

The conference featured participation from several key institutions, including the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Economic and Organized Crime Office, the International Cocoa Initiative, and the Attorney General’s Department. The discussions centered on the importance of adopting a public health approach to combat human trafficking, with a focus on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership—the four pillars emphasized by the President and Dean of Ensign Global College.

During the event, the Country Director of Engage Now Africa, Madame Cecilia Amankwah, shared insights into the organization’s efforts to provide skills training in Ghana to reduce vulnerability to human trafficking.

Representatives from law enforcement agencies, including Mr. Ayarigah from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and Madam Alberta from the Anti-Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit, discussed their ongoing collaboration with Engage Now Africa to tackle the issue.

Mr. Dominic, head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the Economic and Organized Crime Office, called for strengthened partnerships between Ensign Global College and state institutions to enhance the collection of primary data on human trafficking cases. He stressed the importance of collaboration to ensure effective implementation of anti-trafficking measures.

In a panel discussion, Mr. Mike Arthur proposed greater involvement of non-profit organizations and government agencies, such as the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in future conferences. He also highlighted the need to differentiate between child labor and human trafficking, which are often conflated.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Afasi underscored the importance of collective efforts in addressing human trafficking in Africa. He called for increased sensitization on the issue, particularly in rural communities, and urged the government to take a strong stance against harmful cultural practices. He also recommended vigilance in job recruitment processes to prevent exploitation.

The conference concluded with a consensus on the need for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to combat human trafficking, involving all sectors of society in the fight against this pressing issue.