The first and most urgent step: Identifying children trapped in trafficking and exploitation, and bringing them safely to a place of care, stability, and hope.
exploitation across Ghana to date
what rescue means
Children trapped in trafficking and economic exploitation are identified and safely rescued through carefully coordinated efforts with community members, local authorities, and child protection partners.
Rescue operations prioritise the immediate safety and protection of young people, while opening the door to long-term recovery, reintegration, and opportunity.
To date, Challenging Heights has facilitated the liberation of 6,849 children and women from exploitation across Ghana. Many of these cases involve children trafficked into the fishing industry on Lake Volta, as well as agriculture, mining, domestic labour, and forced prostitution.
By working closely with communities and authorities, Challenging Heights helps ensure that children removed from exploitation can begin rebuilding their lives in safe and supportive environments.
The Many Faces of Child Exploitation
Lake Volta Fishing
Children forced into dangerous labour on the waters of Lake Volta.
Agriculture
Young people exploited as unpaid or underpaid labour on farms, often far from home and family.
Mining
Children subjected to hazardous and physically punishing work in small-scale and informal mining operations.
Domestic Labour
Children, often girls, trapped in unpaid domestic servitude and hidden from public view.
Forced Prostitution
Among the gravest forms of exploitation we confront, demanding the most urgent and sensitive response.
How rescue works
A Coordinated, Child-Centred Process
Identify
Working with community members and local informants, we identify children at risk or already trapped in exploitation.
Coordinate
We coordinate closely with local authorities, the Department of Social Welfare, and law enforcement to plan safe rescue operations.
Rescue
Children are safely removed from exploitation and brought to our recovery centre, where their immediate needs are met with care.
Stabilise
On arrival, children receive medical care, safety, nutrition, and emotional support — the first steps of recovery.
“Rescue is not the end of a child’s journey. It is the beginning
of their recovery, and the first promise that they will never
be alone again.”
Next in our framework
Transformation
Once a child is safe, the long journey of healing begins. Discover how survivors rebuild their lives through education, care, and opportunity.
Make A Rescue Possible
Every rescue depends on the generosity of people who believe no child should live in exploitation. Your support brings children to safety.