MoGCSP Strengthens Law Enforcement Response to Human Trafficking

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has stepped up efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement officers to detect, investigate and respond to human trafficking and emerging forms of exploitation.

The two-day training, held in Accra from September 23 to 24, brought together officers from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and other relevant enforcement institutions to deepen their knowledge and practical skills in tackling trafficking and irregular migration.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr Marian Kpakpah, said sustained investment in professional capacity was essential to keeping pace with the changing nature of human trafficking.

She also stressed the need for closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies to ensure that trafficking cases were properly identified, investigated and prosecuted.

Dr Lartey urged the officers to strengthen their understanding and application of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) and the Human Trafficking Regulations, 2015 (L.I. 2219).

She said particular attention should be given to victim identification, victim-centred interviewing, referrals, evidence gathering, investigations and the prosecution of trafficking offences.

The Minister noted that the Human Trafficking Secretariat had, over the past three years, trained 1,750 law enforcement officers from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Customs Division, with support from development partners.

She said the evolving methods used by traffickers, including the use of technology, required law enforcement officers to remain informed, vigilant and responsive in dealing with trafficking cases.

The Director of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, Madam Abena Annobea Asare, led participants through the basic concepts of human trafficking in Ghana, with emphasis on helping frontline officers understand the nature and dynamics of trafficking to enable them to identify and respond appropriately to cases.

The training covered a wide range of issues, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling, emerging trends and their consequences, identification and investigation of trafficking cases, child trafficking and the worst forms of child labour.

Participants also examined the investigation and prosecution of sex and labour trafficking offences, victim protection and emerging cyber-related trafficking crimes.

The programme was organised by the Human Trafficking Secretariat of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the International Justice Mission.

Grace Acheampong, ISD.