In a move to integrate health systems into Ghana’s anti-human trafficking response, Engage Now Africa and Ensign Global University have organised a specialised workshop aimed at empowering health professionals to prevent and combat human trafficking.

The one-day workshop, held at the Centre for Leadership, Innovation and Prosperity at Ensign Global University, was the first of its kind in Ghana and West Africa to focus on training healthcare workers for this purpose.

Themed “Public Health Approach: The Missing Link in Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking,” the session sought to raise awareness, build capacity, and encourage intersectoral collaboration in tackling the crime. According to organisers, trafficking victims “often face significant challenges when dealing with authorities, who may not fully understand their situation or provide adequate support.”

Director of Engage Now Africa, Mr. Afasi Komla, introduced the public health framework as an essential yet often neglected tool in anti-trafficking strategies. He explained the three core elements of trafficking — acts, means, and purpose — and guided participants through various forms of modern slavery, current trends, and both international definitions and local cultural complexities. Komla also shared powerful testimonies from survivors, providing real-world context for the urgency of a health-sector response.

Dr. Alberta Agudey, one of the facilitators, outlined the main goals of the workshop. “We aimed to raise awareness and help participants identify vulnerabilities that lead to trafficking, educate on the nature, scope, and prevalence of the issue, and focus on reintegration and empowering survivors,” she said.

Dr. James Avoka, Director of Health Services, delivered the opening remarks. He commended the initiative and noted the uniqueness of the approach, which for the first time involved health professionals directly in anti-trafficking training.

Seventy-seven participants, including health workers and teachers, attended the workshop. During the practical session, participants engaged in case study analysis using the “Fishnet Method,” which allowed them to identify red flags, propose interventions, and define their roles in prevention and response strategies.

Feedback from attendees was positive, with participants praising the workshop’s relevance and the interactive structure. Many expressed a renewed commitment to playing an active role in the fight against human trafficking and proposed concrete solutions for integrating anti-trafficking measures into healthcare settings.