Economy

    3,000 Students Warned Against Online Trafficking Scams

    Human traffickers exploit digital platforms with fake job and scholarship offers targeting young people in Ghana.

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    More than 3,000 students at Suhum Technical Secondary School (SUTESCO) in Ghana's Eastern Region have received critical information about human trafficking. This sensitisation program, held on Friday, July 31, 2026, focused on how traffickers use digital platforms to target young people. The initiative aimed to equip students with the knowledge to identify, resist, and report such exploitation. This urgent warning comes as technology creates new ways for traffickers and cybercriminals to reach potential victims. Fake job advertisements, fraudulent scholarship offers, and deceptive messages on social media are common tactics. Young Ghanaians are particularly vulnerable to these online recruitment schemes and romance scams. This development underscores a significant challenge in Ghana's digital landscape, where internet penetration is expanding rapidly. While offering opportunities, this growth also exposes more young people to online risks. The government and civil society are increasingly focusing on digital literacy and cybersecurity to protect citizens, especially the youth, from exploitation. Afasi Komla, Director of Engage Now Africa and an anti-human trafficking expert, stressed the importance of awareness. He stated that digital safety is now a critical component in protecting children from human trafficking. Chief Superintendent Alberta Ankrah, National Head of the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit of the Ghana Immigration Service, also participated, highlighting the collaborative effort required. Students were advised to carefully evaluate online opportunities and avoid sharing personal information with strangers. They were encouraged to verify job and scholarship offers through trusted sources. Reporting suspicious online activity to authorities is crucial for preventing trafficking and other forms of exploitation. This proactive approach aims to build safer communities for Ghana's youth.

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