The International Justice Mission (IJM) has reported a 50 to 85 percent decrease in human trafficking and violence across nine countries. This reduction occurred where governments made sustained investments in strengthening their justice systems. These findings were presented by Andy Griffiths, IJM's President for the Africa and Europe Region, at Ghana's National Justice Conference in Accra on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
These significant improvements stemmed from national governments taking ownership of judicial reforms and dedicating resources to justice institutions. IJM explained its role was to support national efforts, not to replace government leadership. The conference focused on “Sustainable Funding for Child Protection Against Labour Exploitation.” It gathered government officials, civil society groups, and law enforcement agencies.
This data reinforces the importance of consistent public financing in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat child trafficking. Ghana’s government established a Human Trafficking Fund in 2024 to support anti-trafficking initiatives. However, sustained funding remains a challenge. The government has increased budgetary allocations to key social protection agencies by GHS 200 million over the past two years, yet gaps persist.
Mr. Griffiths stated that change happened because governments led the way. He emphasized that IJM's experience shows measurable reductions occur when governments prioritize enforcement. They must also invest in justice systems and protect vulnerable populations. He highlighted three factors for sustainable progress: consistent public investment, collaboration, and data-driven resource allocation.
The implications for Ghana are significant. Mr. Griffiths urged Ghanaian stakeholders to adopt a similar approach, noting Ghana's existing legal framework provides a strong foundation. Sustained financing is critical to ensure survivor support and proper investigations. It also ensures perpetrators are held accountable. Ghana’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report indicated that while progress has been made, resource constraints continue to hinder full implementation of anti-trafficking laws. The report noted that while Ghana has a strong legislative framework, including the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), enforcement still requires substantial financial backing and coordination.
The success models in other countries demonstrate the economic benefits of robust justice systems. Reduced exploitation can lead to increased productivity and a more stable workforce. This directly impacts Ghana's economic outlook and human development indices. Decision-makers will carefully consider these findings for future budgetary allocations. They will also look at policy reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s justice sector.