Parliamentary Committees Undergo Strategic Training on Human Trafficking and Gender Dimensions
A two-day Strategic Training Programme on Human Trafficking and its Gender-Related Issues is currently underway, bringing together members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender and the Gender Equity Committee.
The programme, which runs from Thursday, April 9 to Friday, April 10, 2026, is being organized by the Human Trafficking Secretariat of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM). It aims to strengthen the capacity of participants—particularly parliamentarians—to better understand and respond to human trafficking in Ghana, with a strong focus on its gendered dimensions.
Participants are engaging in sessions covering a wide range of topics, including the overview and gender dynamics of human trafficking, irregular migration and human smuggling, child labour, and trafficking as a form of organized crime. Additional sessions will focus on law enforcement strategies, rescue operations, victim protection, rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as survivor engagement and community participation.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, underscored the gendered nature of human trafficking, noting that women and girls constitute the majority of victims both globally and within Ghana. She highlighted that Ghana continues to serve as a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, with emerging threats such as cyber-related exploitation posing increasing concern.
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The Minister outlined government interventions, including existing legislation and the National Plan of Action, and called for stronger policy direction and coordinated stakeholder action. She urged participants to translate insights gained from the training into concrete measures that will enhance prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts.
In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Chief Director, Dr. Marian W. A. Kpakpah, the Head of the General Administration Directorate, Mr. Ebenezer Charway, described human trafficking as a serious violation of human dignity that disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustained commitment among stakeholders in addressing the issue.
The training is expected to strengthen Parliament’s role in legislation, oversight, and advocacy in the fight against human trafficking, while enhancing efforts to protect vulnerable populations across the country.
The programme will continue on Friday, April 10, 2026, with additional sessions.