News

RESOURCE STATE INSTITUTIONS TO END MODERN SLAVERY- CHALLENGING HEIGHTS URGES GOVERNMENT

Challenging Heights, a child rights-centered Non-Governmental Organization in Ghana, has urged the government of Ghana to adequately resource state institutions leading the fight against child trafficking, child labour and modern slavery in the country.

Mr Enock Dery Pufaa, the Programs Director of Challenging Heights, made this call during a brief event to present some items to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service, on Wednesday 18^th October 2023.

Mr. Pufaa noted that Ghana has made modest gains in the fight against child trafficking, child labour, and modern slavery, based on the 2023 Global Slavery Index and Trafficking in Persons Report. However, these gains risk being lost in the face of national and global challenges, highlighting the need to adequately resource key state institutions such as the Ghana Police Service's Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, the Human Trafficking Secretariat of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, the Department of Social Welfare, and the Child Labour Unit. 

Mr. Pufaa further noted that ending modern slavery requires a collective effort, hence the need for closer collaboration between state and non-state actors. He commended the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit for their commitment and leadership, which together with Challenging Heights’ efforts, has contributed to the successful rescue of several victims of child trafficking and modern slavery from the Volta Lake.

The donation was made by Challenging Heights to support the operations of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service. The items donated include three air conditioners, two refrigerators three (3) 32-inch television sets, and one (1) Yamaha motorbike.

On his part, the Head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Mike Baah, commended Challenging Heights for the items donated to the Unit. He assured that the items would be put to good use to the benefit of the Unit. Mr Baah further admonished the public to report suspected cases of trafficking to the police. He warned traffickers and their intermediaries to desist from the act or risk being jailed between 5 to 25 years as stipulated in the Human Trafficking Act (2009).

Challenging Heights works to prevent child trafficking, child labour, and modern slavery by rescuing, rehabilitating and reintegrating child victims, advocating for children’s rights and supporting families struggling with poverty. The organization has over the past 18 years, contributed to the successful rescue, recovery and reintegration of over 1,800 children and supported about 1000 families with livelihood interventions.