Gov’t on course in combating human trafficking – Gender Minister

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has said government is on course in the fight against human trafficking in the country.

Otiko Afisa Djaba said the government had put in place systems and structures to address the teaming issues on human trafficking in the country.

The Minister said this at a press conference in Accra following a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2017 Report released by the United States (US) Department.

The report indicated that Ghana remained weak in the fight against human trade, and thus, stood the risk of losing significant assistance from the United States.

She said Ghana was a blessed country and all needed to work to ensure that the lives of children were protected and their potentials harnessed to fight the menace of child labour and trafficking.

Madam Djaba said poverty had always been the underlining cause of getting children involved in child labour, a situation she emphasised must stop.

“The Government continues to take appropriate steps and measures to improve upon the implementation of the Human Trafficking Act.

Gender Minister

“Not only because Ghana need to respond to the TIP Report but most importantly to protect the fundamental rights of Ghanaians especially our vulnerable women and children who fall prey to perpetrators of trafficking,” she stated.

She assured that government would continue to put in extra efforts by engaging communities, chiefs, opinion leaders, stakeholders and parents across the country, on the dangers associated with human trade and irregular migration.

“To win this battle against human and child trafficking, it will take concerted efforts from parents/guardians, chiefs and community leaders to dissuade their children from embarking on hazardous journeys in search of greener pastures,” she stated.

The Minister indicated that the Ministry this year had validated and finalised the new Human Trafficking National Plan of Action (2017-2021) which was a comprehensive document to support the effective implementation of the Human Trafficking Act of 2005, Act 694.

Aside various interventions, she said, the government had budgeted for GHc 1.5 million for the Human Trafficking Secretariat to support the fight against human trade.

Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com