National Justice Conference 2026: Survivor Godson Glawu and IJM Lead Calls for Urgent Funding for Child Protection and Judicial Reform

At the National Justice Conference 2026 in Accra, Godson Glawu, a survivor of child trafficking, joined the International Justice Mission (IJM) in a powerful appeal to the Ghanaian government for sustained funding of the Human Trafficking Fund. Glawu, who was trafficked to Lake Volta at age seven and endured a decade of forced labor before his rescue in 2015, emphasized that effective protection systems require consistent investment in rescue and aftercare services rather than reactive measures. Andy Griffiths, President of IJM for Africa and Europe, supported this plea, noting that the fund is essential for supporting survivors and holding traffickers accountable under the Human Trafficking Act. Glawu, now a trained electrician and advocate, stressed that turning legal commitments into fully resourced systems is the only way to safeguard vulnerable children. Beyond child protection, traditional leaders and administrators have raised alarms over Ghana's environmental and social stability. Barimah Dr Addofo Kissi I, the Akyempimhene of Kwahu Obo, warned of profound consequences including national water shortages and health crises if illegal mining, known as galamsey, continues unchecked. He emphasized that the fight must target not just laborers but also the financiers and corrupt officials enabling the trade. This call for discipline extends to the streets, where the Ghana Police Service has begun a crackdown on the unauthorized use of sirens and strobe lights, citing a rise in traffic indiscipline and public safety risks. Similarly, Abdul-Hafiz Adam, MCE for Gushegu, urged religious leaders to use their platforms to address youth moral decline and drug abuse, framing these as essential for social cohesion. Regionally, governance challenges remain at the forefront as the Gambian Supreme Court weighs a historic ruling on the ban of female genital mutilation (FGM), a decision that survivors say will define the rights and safety of future generations. In South Africa, the National Treasury has taken the drastic step of withholding funding from 69 municipalities, including Johannesburg, due to financial mismanagement and poor service delivery. These fiscal measures are intended to enforce discipline ahead of local elections, requiring a minimum 25 percent reduction in wasteful expenditure before funds are released. Meanwhile, political tensions have flared across East Africa and in the international sphere. In Kenya and Tanzania, heavy police presence was deployed to thwart Saba Saba protest anniversaries amid concerns over human rights and economic hardship. Further abroad, legal proceedings continue for high-profile figures, including a preliminary hearing in Utah for the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and Prince Harry’s return to the UK for legal battles against unlawful information gathering. Collectively, these developments, alongside local friction such as the recent public confrontation between media personality Ola Michael and MP A-Plus, underscore a period of heightened global scrutiny regarding judicial systems, executive accountability, and the protection of the vulnerable.