Mr Andrews D. Adugu, a State Attorney at the Attorney-General Department in Ho, has described child trafficking as a symptom of a larger corruption problem plaguing Ghana’s society.
Speaking at a training session for journalists from Volta and Oti Regions organized by International Justice Mission (IJM) in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) held in Ho, Mr Adugu emphasized that tackling child trafficking required addressing the underlying corrupt systems and practices that enable it.
“If you fight child trafficking, trafficking will fight against you. If you fight corruption, mind you, corruption will fight back at you,” he emphasized.
Mr Adugu highlighted how corruption within institutions and among individuals facilitated child trafficking, making it a challenging issue to combat.
He called for a united effort from law enforcement, policymakers and the public to dismantle corrupt networks involved in child trafficking. In addition, he stressed the importance of safeguarding children rights and ensuring perpetrators face justice.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mrs Brown Mercy Wilson, Head of Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVSSU) in the Volta Region, emphasized the importance of journalists engaging with designated police spokespersons for accurate information.
She explained that the police service has a structured communication system, with public relations officers (PROs) mandated to speak with journalists and the public.
She urged media professionals to reach out to the officers at all regional headquarters for information or assistance.
ACP Wilson highlighted the sensitive nature of security issues, advising journalists to contact designated officers rather than approaching individuals police officers.
The Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mrs Rebecca Ekpe, expressed her appreciation to the International Justice Mission (IJM) for their support in building the capacity of journalists in Ghana.
Mrs Ekpe said capacity building was a major challenge facing journalists and other media professionals and IJM’s training workshops were a valuable contribution.
She assured IJM that participating journalists would apply the knowledge gained in their daily work, covering stories across the country.
She encouraged organisations across the globe to continue providing training opportunities, assuring them of the GJA’s collaboration.
Madam Anita Budu, Country Director for International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana, called on all stakeholders to come on board to fight against human trafficking in Ghana.
She said the IJM was ready to partner and support authorities to combat human trafficking through thorough investigations and response to cases of human trafficking.
The Country Director said IJM’s would continue to make the necessary effort to ensure that the country was free from human trafficking and appealed to the citizenry to join the campaign against human trafficking.