This shows that the government increased efforts in combating human trafficking in 2017, the 2018 report which assessed the anti-trafficking efforts of 187 governments around the world to fight human trafficking including the United States, indicated.

The report, released annually by the United States Department of State, lauded Ghana's efforts in implementing a national anti-trafficking plan, prosecuting and convicting an increased number of labour and sex traffickers, and increasing cooperation across anti-trafficking government agencies.

Additionally, Ghana adopted procedures to identify and refer trafficking victims to necessary services and supported a range of anti-trafficking awareness raising activities, the report stated.

"Although Ghana does not meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, these increased efforts have resulted in Ghana's upgrade from Tier 2 Watch List to a Tier 2 ranking in the 2018 TIP Report", the report stated.

Mr. Leonard Ackon, the Focal Person of the Coalition Against Child Trafficking made this known when the Coalition paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Freda Prempeh, the Deputy Minister of Gender and Social Protection last Friday.

He said more was required from Ghana if the country could jump to Tier One and commended the government for the achievement.

The TIP Report recommendations include: dedicating increased resources to holding traffickers accountable and providing care to victims, addressing the corruption and interference that impede the investigation of trafficking crimes and developing and providing specialised services for child and adult victims of sex trafficking.

Mr. Ackon, who is the Director of Advocacy for the International Justice Mission, an NGO expressed the optimism that the 24 membership of the coalition launched in 2018 would collaborate to rally support towards eliminating child trafficking in the country.

Mrs. Prempeh, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency in the Ahafo Region stressed government determination to stimulate action and create partnerships in the fight against trafficking of persons.

She said the achievement demonstrated how much could be achieved under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's government commitment towards national reconstruction processes and called on civil society actors to support the government to take the development of the nation to the next level.

Mrs. Prempeh commended the government on its efforts and interventions that had enabled the country to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, and praised the Coalition for their efforts in that respect.