A coalition of civil society organizations in Ghana will launch on August 12, 2026, to strengthen the fight against transnational organized crime. This new alliance will specifically target the growing trafficking of young people into cyber-enabled scam operations across West Africa. The announcement came during a national forum held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The forum, titled "Trapped Behind the Scam," was convened online by GYAN Ghana, the Democratic Network for Action (DNA), and Transnational Mobility Pathways (TMP). Participants adopted a communiqué outlining recommendations for government, financial institutions, technology companies, regional organizations, and civil society. The proposed Ghana Civil Society Coalition Against Transnational Crime will be formally launched in Accra on International Youth Day.
This development underscores a significant concern within Ghana's economic and social landscape, as the nation grapples with rising cybercrime and its human cost. The exploitation of young people for online fraud not only impacts individual lives but also poses a threat to the country's digital economy and international reputation. The coalition aims to provide a survivor-informed platform to coordinate civil society action against trafficking for forced criminality.
Lamberta Bina Abusah, co-convener of the forum for GYAN Ghana, stated that her organization has warned for 15 years that many young people involved in internet fraud are victims. She emphasized that the issue is not simply about criminal youth but about young people being preyed upon. The forum highlighted that victims are increasingly trafficked and forced to run scams, rather than willingly participating.
The coalition's formation implies a more coordinated and robust response to a complex issue that blurs the lines between victim and offender. Decision-makers and law enforcement will need to respond to calls for the strict application of the principle of non-punishment for trafficked persons. This means screening individuals rescued from scam compounds before initiating criminal proceedings or deportation, and providing legal aid.
The forum focused on victims recruited under false pretenses and forced into online fraud, a rapidly growing and often misunderstood form of human trafficking. Organizers explained that many victims respond to seemingly legitimate job advertisements online. After traveling, their passports are confiscated, debts are imposed, and their freedom is restricted, forcing them to operate from secured compounds.
Speakers at the forum argued that Ghana is now a source, transit point, and destination for trafficking linked to cyber fraud. They cited several recent rescue operations involving Ghanaian nationals. These included the rescue of more than 100 young Ghanaians in Ho in January 2026 and the repatriation of 28 Ghanaians from Côte d'Ivoire in May. Additionally, 44 people were rescued from camps in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, in March, and nine people were rescued in Afienya, near Accra, in July.
Experts at the forum, including Joshua Mawutor of Partners Recruitment Consult, detailed how fake online job advertisements lure victims. David Mosetse, former INTERPOL Director, discussed the cross-border and digital dimensions of the crime. Clinical psychologist Mrs. Ethel Obeng-Treve of Fafanto Psych and Wellness Consult spoke about the psychological trauma and long-term support required by survivors. The All Africa Students Union also delivered a youth-focused presentation on prevention.
The coalition plans to expand its reach into West African and continental alliances, signaling a broader regional effort against this transnational crime. This expansion is crucial given the cross-border nature of cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking. The initiative will require sustained collaboration among various stakeholders to effectively dismantle criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations.