The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has significantly ramped up its public education campaign against human trafficking, exploitation, and gender-based violence in Aflao. This focused effort aims to protect vulnerable populations within the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.
This initiative, a collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the National Population Council (NPC), forms part of a broader capacity-building programme. It specifically targets migrants and border communities, using interactive methods like storytelling and drama to address protection concerns. The programme, titled “Capacity Building and Awareness Creation among Migrants through Infotainment,” engaged various community stakeholders.
Aflao's strategic location as a bustling border town presents both economic opportunities and significant vulnerabilities. The constant movement of traders, travellers, and migrants exposes groups like women and children to increased risks of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. This situation highlights the complex challenges faced by border security agencies beyond traditional passport checks.
Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Mark Asamoah-Boakye, the Aflao Sector Commander, emphasized the broader scope of border security. He stated, “Border security is not only about the movement of goods and checking passports; it is fundamentally about the safety and dignity of people.” He stressed the GIS's responsibility to protect vulnerable persons and prevent exploitation.
The fight against these abuses requires collective action from all stakeholders, not solely security agencies. DCOI Asamoah-Boakye called for active involvement from families, traditional authorities, transport unions, and civil society organizations. He also highlighted the importance of treating victims and survivors with confidentiality and compassion, ensuring appropriate reporting and referral mechanisms are in place.
The GIS Aflao Sector Command recently achieved a notable success in its anti-trafficking efforts. It secured the conviction of a trafficker known as Adebayo, who received a sentence of five years' imprisonment on each of six counts, to run concurrently. This conviction underscores the Service's commitment to pursuing trafficking cases through the legal system and ensuring perpetrators face justice.
However, prosecution alone is insufficient. DCOI Asamoah-Boakye noted that prevention through continuous public education and early identification of vulnerabilities remains crucial. The GIS has established a Community Prevention Forum, offering a direct avenue for the public to report suspected cases of violence, exploitation, and trafficking to officers. This community-engagement model of border policing has already contributed to reducing the influx of destitute persons, including children vulnerable to exploitation.
Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Vida Kpogo, a Focal Person at the GIS Headquarters' Gender Unit, reinforced the programme's goal. She explained it equips participants with the understanding and confidence to contribute meaningfully in their communities. DSI Kpogo urged participants to act as ambassadors, sharing knowledge gained with their families, workplaces, and religious centres. She stressed that preventing such abuses demands greater awareness, vigilance, and a willingness to speak up against wrongdoing.
The GIS also encourages its own officers to report exploitation and abuse within the Service. A Safe Voice Platform has been established to protect confidentiality, enabling officers to report concerns without fear of victimisation. These comprehensive measures reflect a multi-faceted approach to safeguarding human dignity in Ghana's border regions.