Minister Agnes Naa Momo Lartey and Stakeholders Call for Digital Vigilance and Victim Protection in National Anti-Trafficking Strategy

Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for heightened national vigilance to combat the evolving tactics of human traffickers, particularly the rising use of digital platforms for exploitation. Speaking at a symposium for the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Dr. Lartey noted that while the Human Trafficking Act of 2005 has provided a strong legal foundation for two decades, criminals are increasingly leveraging social media and online scams to recruit victims. Data from 2025 highlights the scale of the challenge, with 2,331 victims successfully rescued within a single year. The Minister emphasized that the current administration under President John Mahama remains committed to the three pillars of prevention, protection, and prosecution to safeguard vulnerable citizens.

Adding to the call for systemic reform, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Justice Kudzo Normeshie, representing the International Centre for Safe Migration, urged the government to integrate victim protection directly into its ongoing operations against illegal mining, or galamsey. Normeshie argued that current anti-galamsey efforts focus heavily on environmental degradation and economic loss while often overlooking the human trafficking networks that thrive in remote mining districts. He cautioned that law enforcement actions can inadvertently displace trafficking networks without providing the necessary support systems, and he called for structured identification protocols and a stronger social welfare presence in mining-affected areas to restore the dignity of those exploited.

Furthermore, the International Justice Mission (IJM) has advocated for a more cohesive partnership between government bodies, civil society, and the media to sustain the fight against trafficking. Anita Budu, IJM’s West Africa Programme Director, stressed the importance of a coordinated national response that moves beyond disjointed institutional efforts. She outlined five key commitments for future strategy, including improved data sharing, embedding victim-centered approaches into the justice system, and amplifying the voices of survivors. Budu also lauded the role of the media in identifying victims and raising public awareness, which has directly led to successful rescue operations across the country.

As Ghana marks 20 years of formal anti-trafficking legislation, the consensus among stakeholders points toward a more holistic approach that addresses both new digital threats and established vulnerabilities in the extractive sectors. By strengthening partnerships through organizations like the Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking and the Ghana Survivor Network, authorities aim to create a more resilient safety net. Moving forward, the government and its partners intend to focus on community-level reporting and the establishment of confidential channels to ensure that the progress made since 2005 is not undermined by the shifting landscape of modern exploitation.