PURPOSE
We monitor to identify, intercept, rescue, adopt preventive procedures and refer child trafficking victims who are subjected to or could potentially be subjected to undignified, hazardous and exploitative labour to necessary services; and partner necessary stakeholders to rehabilitate the victims and punish the criminals.
BACKGROUND
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), “Human trafficking is an international problem affecting millions of people and many countries around the world. In Ghana, West Africa, the internal trafficking of children is one of the biggest challenges” The UNODC also notes that “many Ghanaian children are trafficked from their home villages to work in the fishing industry. Living in meagre conditions and working long hours every day, these kids are exploited by fishermen desperate to feed their families and eke out a living along the banks of Lake Volta” International Justice Mission has estimated the total number of children trafficked on the Volta Lake at 49,000.
The global agenda on the protection of children against trafficking,
The global agenda on the protection of children against trafficking, in all forms, and in the elimination of the worst forms of child trafficking is in line with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs): End extreme poverty in all forms (Goal 1); Quality education (Goal 4); Gender equality (Goal 5); Decent work and economic growth (Goal 8); Peace, Justice and strong institutions (Goal 16); and Partnerships for the Goals (Goal 17). A coordinated effort from all stakeholders is imperative in providing necessary support to the Government of Ghana (GoG) since increase effort each year is necessary for the government to maintain or improve the gains made in the quest to eliminate the worst forms of child trafficking in Ghana.
The 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report by the United States Department of State intimated that the GoG does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. In many communities around the Volta Lake in Ghana, parents sell their children especially boys to boat captains who force the children to work long hours on boats on the Lake under dangerous conditions, and do not deliver on promises of wages or schooling (2018 TIP Report). The National Plan of Action (NPA) for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana: 2017-2021 reports that human trafficking deprives a lot of families, children, guardians and communities of their dignity and freedom. Also, it undermines national security, distorts markets, and enriches transnational criminals and terrorists.
Numerous challenges that militate against the efforts by the GoG and other key stakeholders in combating the worst forms of child trafficking on the Volta Lake in Ghana have been reported. For instance the Human Trafficking Secretariat of Ghana lacks sufficient personnel and government funds to fulfil its mandate to conduct monitoring and evaluation, data collection, and research related to trafficking (2018 TIP Report). As such the prevention and protection of vulnerable children to trafficking has been compromised.
Other key challenges relate to the twin problem of partnership among key stakeholders on one hand, and prosecution of child trafficking suspects on the other hand. It is reported that as in past years, the GoG did not prosecute or convict any recruitment agents for fraudulent offers of employment in 2017, although numerous investigations were initiated (2018 TIP Report). Also, in 2017 The GIS initiated prosecutions against three suspected child traffickers under the Immigration Act but due to insufficient evidence to proceed with trafficking charges, the process has been stalled. There are also reports on prosecutions initiated in prior years, which were stalled reportedly due to a lack of evidence, reluctance of victims to testify, or inability to locate the defendant. State attorneys declined to prosecute several suspected trafficking cases due to inadequate evidence collection by the police (2018 TIP Report).
Stakeholders
Monitoring Child Trafficking is a Collective responsibility and it can be successful if all actors and stakeholders collaborate. The Major Stakeholders of this pilot shall be the following:
1. THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE,
KETU SOUTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY,
AFLAO.
2. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
KETU SOUTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY,
AFLAO.
3. THE SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER,
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT,
KETU SOUTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY,
AFLAO.
4. THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT
AFLAO
5. THE DISTRICT COMMANDER,
GHANA POLICE SERVICE,
AFLAO.
6. THE PARAMOUNT CHIEF OF AFLAO,
AFLAO.
7. DRIVERS ASSOCIATION IN AFLAO
8. RELIGIOUS BODIES AND ORGANISATIONS
Monitoring & Supervisor
The Project is under the supervision of an International Human Rights Expert and Activist, Miss Binalayefa Ikete, the Executive Director of Mercy Justice Project and the Monitoring Field Officer shall be Eugene Bright Apeke. Other local actors and Volunteers would be used to facilitate the ground monitoring of children in the process of being trafficked or at-risk children. The exercise shall involve observation, and spontaneous questioning of potentially trafficked children and suspects.
Our Partners and Affiliates
- Treasure of Life Foundation - https://www.treasuresoflife.org
- Pear House Ghana - https://thepearlhouse.org/
- Partners In Community Development (PACODEM)
Our Team
Francis-Xavier Sosu (ESQ)
BA, LLB, BL, LLM
(Human Rights and Public Interest Lawyer & Activist)
Managing Consultant – Mercy Justice Project
+ 233-243-185-333
francisxavier.sosu@gmail.com
www.fxsosu.com
www.madinamp.com
Executive Director – Mercy Justice Project
Miss. Binalayefa Zikiye Ikete
BA (Human Resources),
Mphil (Human Rights, Conflict & Peace Studies)
International Human Rights Promoter & Activist
+ 233-559-886-585
binaziki@gmail.com
Monitoring Field Officer – Mercy Justice Project.
Mr. Eugene Bright Apeke.
Human Rights Volunteer.
+233 244-382-672
Purpose
Background
The global agenda on the protection of children against trafficking,
Stakeholders
Monitoring & Supervisor
Our Partners and Affiliates
team
ACCRA
Accra the capital and largest city of Ghana, covering an area of 225.67 km2 with an estimated urban population of 2.27 million as of 2012.
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DAMBAI
Dambai is the capital of the newly created Oti Region located on the eastern side of the Oti River a tributary of the Volta Lake
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KETE KRACHI
Kete Krachi is a town in the Krachi West District of the Oti Region of Ghana. Kete Krachi is the capital of the Krachi West District.
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+ 233 -303-968-367 | + 233-243-185-333 | + 233-559-886-585
francisxavier.sosu@gmail.com
binaziki@gmail.com
Mercy justice Project is a local child trafficking outreach that works to promote the mission and vision of Justice International. The project began in Accra with an orientation program on 19th June, 2019 with Human Rights interns and Volunteers who desires a safe world for all and seeks to fight against Human Slavery in all its forms in Ghana.
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