Accra: Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has urged sports institutions to strengthen accountability and recruitment standards to prevent traffickers from exploiting ambitious young athletes through fake sports contracts and scholarships abroad. Dr Lartey made the call at a media launch to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (Blue Day) in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, for the purpose of exploitation, as defined by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The Blue Day, established on December 18, 2013, is observed annually on July 30 by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness, promote the protection of the rights of trafficking victims, and encourage governments, organisations, and individuals to prevent and combat trafficking in persons. This year's Blue Day theme is: 'Human trafficking can end: the time is now. Blow the whistle on sports trafficking.'
Dr Lartey noted that across multiple countries, criminal networks disguise exploitation as legitimate opportunity, luring vulnerable youth into abuse, forced labor, irregular migration, and trafficking by manipulating their talent, hope, and trust. She emphasized that sports should inspire hope, discipline, opportunity, and national pride, as millions of youth view sports as a pathway to education, professional success, economic advancement, and a better future.
In Ghana, sports, particularly football and athletics, continue to represent aspirations and opportunities for many young people and their families. Dr Lartey highlighted the increased risk of sports trafficking and exploitation of young athletes as the world prepares for major international sporting events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Dr Lartey stressed the need for sustained partnerships and collective action beyond government efforts, involving communities, families, civil society, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, and especially the media. She encouraged the citizenry to stay alert, report suspicious activity, protect vulnerable youth, and support prevention efforts, while the media exposes hidden exploitation and raises public awareness.
The Minister also highlighted some government efforts and collaboration outcomes, noting that victim rescues rose from 821 in 2021 to 846 in 2022, spiked to 2,089 in 2023, dropped to 794 in 2024, and peaked at 2,331 in 2025. The sharp increase in 2025 reflects intensified action against emerging forms of trafficking, particularly cyber-related trafficking, online exploitation, and romance scam networks.
Madam Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ghana, noted that illegal recruitment practices where companies bypass official channels through the Ministries of Gender, Labour, and Foreign Affairs, fuel trafficking. She called for strengthened protection systems, expanded opportunities, and to keep sports a space for dignity and development-not exploitation.
Madam Anita Budu, Country Director for International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana, called for increased funding for anti-human trafficking efforts, while the government makes adequate budgetary allocation to the Human Trafficking Fund. She said the funding would cater for prevention, law enforcement, survivor care, and strengthening of prosecution, enabling survivors to fully rebuild their lives.
Reverend Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Chairperson, Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare, in a speech read on her behalf, emphasized the need for a dedicated fund through the District Assembly Common Fund for child protection in various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. She stated that such a fund would enhance the work of social welfare officers who are at the frontline of ensuring child protection and welfare in the communities.