As part of activities marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN-Ghana) joined parishioners of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Ziokpe, in the Ho Diocese for an awareness-creation programme aimed at educating the public on the dangers of human trafficking and modern-day exploitation.
During the event, Sr. Ignatia Sarfowaa Boaben HHCJ, National Coordinator of AFJN-Ghana, engaged the congregation on this year’s theme for the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons. She emphasized the evolving strategies employed by traffickers, including deceptive recruitment schemes, false job advertisements, and unrealistic promises of lucrative opportunities that often target vulnerable individuals, particularly young people seeking employment and better livelihoods.
The interactive session encouraged participants to share real-life experiences and observations from their communities. One elderly participant recounted how his daughter was enticed by an advertisement offering a high-paying job that required neither educational qualifications nor prior work experience. What initially appeared to be a promising opportunity later turned out to be a recruitment scheme linked to the QNET scam, exposing her to potential financial exploitation.
Another participant narrated the story of a young man who was persuaded to travel from Cameroon to Ghana after being promised an exceptionally lucrative job. Upon arrival, the young man discovered that the offer was fraudulent, leaving him stranded and vulnerable.
These testimonies highlighted the growing sophistication of trafficking and recruitment scams and reinforced the need for increased public awareness, vigilance, and community action. AFJN-Ghana urged participants to carefully verify employment offers, be cautious of opportunities that appear too good to be true, and share information that can help protect others from falling victim to deception and exploitation.
The programme concluded with a call for families, faith communities, civil society organizations, and government institutions to work together in combating human trafficking and safeguarding the dignity and rights of all persons. Through continued education and awareness, AFJN-Ghana remains committed to promoting justice, protecting vulnerable populations, and contributing to the global effort to end human trafficking.
