Capacity Building workshop held for Law Enforcement officers

Following the training of Law Enforcement Officers in the Central and Western Regions, the Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection together with Expertise France are currently training another batch of sixty-five (65) Law enforcement officers and three (3) Social workers in the Volta Region on Human trafficking issues from 20th to 22nd April 2022.

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The purpose of the training is to enhance the basic skills of law enforcement agencies and social workers with regard to the identification and management of human trafficking cases. It would also allow the HTS to further educate the targeted participants on the relevant laws of human trafficking.

The Head of Human Trafficking Secretariat, Madam Abena Annobea Asare, on behalf of the Chief Director of MoGCSP, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, commended the tireless efforts and sacrifices of the various law enforcement agencies in their fight against human trafficking which has contributed to Ghana maintaining the tier two ranking for four consecutive years since 2017.

She was pleased to inform participants that, the Ministry has so far trained 300 Law Enforcement Officers in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration.

She revealed that, in 2021, 831 victims were rescued with 32 prosecutions and 17 convictions using the HT Act. The Head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat at the MoGCSP was pleased to announce that two Government shelters have facilitated these improvements in the entire process.

She added that the Ministry intends to strengthen the collaboration among partners to fight against the Human Trafficking menace across the country. On behalf of the Ministry, she commended Expertise France being the Project implementer and the European Union for funding these projects.

The Volta Regional Police Commander, COP Edward Oduro Kwateng who was present at the occasion, also said, the Regional Police Command through the Anti Human Trafficking Unit at the Regional Police headquarters-Ho, has also embarked on a number of rescue operations with support from NGOs and the Department of Social Welfare which has led to the rescue of victims and arrest of perpetrators.

According to him, the perpetrators have been prosecuted and are serving various sentences in prison. He added that, as stakeholders, the onus lies upon them to enforce the provisions in the law to identify, rescue, and protect victims of human trafficking and to bring perpetrators to justice.

Also on behalf of the Volta Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Rev. DSI Daniel Nyampong (Champlain of the Volta Regional Command), was pleased to inform participants that the GIS has dedicated a whole unit to help in combatting this trans-national organized crime; which is the Anti Human Smuggling and trafficking in Person Unit (AHSTIP) as mandated to help contribute their quota to curb this menace.

He disclosed that from the 4th quarter of the year 2021 up to the first quarter of 2022, the GIS Volta Regional Command has intercepted and repatriated a total of 168 people between the ages of 18 and 35 of whom some were suspected cases of Human trafficking. ‘Out of this number were 119 males and 49 females, he mentioned.

According to him, these people are often coerced and lured by various syndicates who promise them avenues of job opportunities in Ghana only for them to be introduced to crimes such as cybercrime, illegal drug trade, money laundering, prostitution among others.

He, therefore, called on all security agencies especially the GIS to be extra vigilant in the discharge of their duties so as to counter any transnational organized crime syndicate as a result of the reopening of the various land borders.

The Acting Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Prosper Kumi Afenyo also called on relevant stakeholders to ensure that there is constant collaboration to achieve the desired results needed to strengthen national security and development.

In a statement read on behalf of the GRA-Customs Division Regional Commander, the Regional Preventive Officer Customs Division-Ho, PRO Godwin Ziggah said information sharing and constant collaboration among relevant stakeholders are crucial to be able to tackle the menace. He also urged all participants to participate fully in the training program so as to become effective law enforcement officers in their various places of work.

The Project Manager, Mr. Serge Akpalou reiterated Expertise France and European Union’s commitments to support the Government of Ghana in fighting human trafficking in all its forms.

There were presentations by, Mrs. Ama Amankwah (lawyer), Chief Supt. Mike Baah, (Director – AHTU-Police), SO Dominic Mensah (Ag. Director, AHTU- EOCO), and Supt. Alberta Ampofo (Head – AHSTIP Unit – GIS) on Human Trafficking issues.

The project is being funded by the European Union in Ghana.

Source: freedomradiogh.com