Beware of human traffickers – Police warn job seekers

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Department is warning job seekers to beware of lucrative job vacancies outside the country.

According to the unit’s director, Deputy Police Chief William Ayaregah, some of the offers could be ploys by human traffickers to exploit unsuspecting job seekers and lure them into shady activities such as prostitution.

He advised job seekers who come across such vacancies to verify their authenticity before applying or accepting them.

“Anytime you receive an offer, do your due diligence. If you have any doubts, contact the police or other law enforcement agencies to do a background check to determine whether the offer is credible or not,” he said.

Speaking at an anti-human trafficking awareness programme at Mawuli Secondary School in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, DSP Ayaregah said there is nothing wrong with people seeking opportunities outside the country, but such individuals should ensure that they do not fall into the hands of human traffickers, who may eventually exploit them, be it through labour, sexual exploitation or other forms of exploitation.

The programme was part of the activities to commemorate the World Day against Trafficking in Persons in 2024.

The event was organised by the Ghana Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in collaboration with OUR Rescue, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Other NGOs supporting the event included Engage Now Africa, Challenging Heights, the International Justice Mission (IJM) and Global Freedom Network.

Global problem

According to DSP Ayaregah, children account for more than a third of the victims of human trafficking worldwide. This situation requires efforts from all stakeholders and the public to combat this menace.

“Human trafficking is a global problem that transcends borders. Collaboration is therefore essential to dismantle trafficking networks, share intelligence and provide coordinated responses,” he said.

Stake

According to Fred Akweter, Country Manager of OUR Rescue, human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that dehumanizes people and violates many fundamental human rights.

He said more than 49 million people were living in modern slavery, a situation he described as disheartening and heartbreaking.

“These are not just numbers, we are talking about people who are facing atrocities and who are enduring unimaginable suffering. We must therefore join the fight against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children, for the sake of humanity,” he said.

Mr Akweter reiterated the commitment of OUR Rescue, an international NGO active in 27 countries, to combat human trafficking and child sexual exploitation and to provide assistance to victims who have suffered such atrocities.

“OUR Rescue supports law enforcement agencies in rescuing children who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation and also provides quality aftercare to survivors who have been rescued from such devastating and despicable crime,” he said.

Thywill Eyra, Regional Director of the Department of Gender in Volta, said victims of trafficking are treated like slaves without voice, choice and rights. She therefore stressed the need to educate people not to fall prey to such criminals.