U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Ghana
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons |
| Publication Date | 5 June 2002 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Ghana, 5 June 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d798c.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Ghana (Tier 2)
Ghana is a source, transit, and destination country for internationally trafficked persons. The majority of the victims are children trafficked for labor and domestic help to and from neighboring countries, such as Cote D'Ivoire, Togo, and Nigeria. Some Ghanaian women are trafficked to work as prostitutes in Western Europe, specifically Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Ghana is a transit point for a growing trade in Nigerian women trafficked to Europe for sexual exploitation, and for persons trafficked from Burkina Faso to Cote D'Ivoire. Internally, Ghanaian children are sent from the poorest regions to work in the fishing industry and for domestic labor in urban areas. Many of these children, sold by their families to traffickers, suffer physical or sexual abuse and receive insufficient food, no wages, and no access to education.
The Government of Ghana does not yet meet the minimum standards; however it is making significant efforts to do so. In October 2001, Ghana hosted a regional meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where participating government representatives adopted a two-year Initial Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Fulfilling one of the obligations mandated by the ECOWAS Plan, Ghana established the National Task Force on Trafficking in March 2002. The government is working on a draft national plan of action, which includes much needed amendments to the criminal code to establish trafficking in persons as a crime and punish traffickers, who are now prosecuted for lesser crimes. Due in part to a shortage of resources and capacity, victim protection and assistance is done on an ad hoc basis, relying on United Nations' agencies and NGOs. In terms of prevention, the government supports programs to alleviate child poverty and to enhance women's education and empowerment. Ghana is one of the West African countries participating in an international organization program to reduce trafficking in children.
