Baku:The Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Lydia Yaako Donkor, has issued a warning about the exploitation of young Ghanaian athletes by criminal networks. These networks are reportedly using false promises of overseas football contracts, international trials, and scholarships to lure athletes into human trafficking.
According to Ghana Web, Donkor emphasized the importance of verifying international sporting offers and cautioned parents, coaches, football academies, and sports administrators to be vigilant. She stated that the pursuit of a professional career should not lead to exploitation, highlighting the need to safeguard aspiring athletes from those who prey on their ambitions.
Donkor recently spoke on the topic of "Addressing Human Trafficking in Sports in Ghana" at a training program supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. The program aimed to enhance the capacity of officers to identify, investigate, and prevent human trafficking, particularly within the sports sector.
She urged stakeholders to thoroughly vet individuals or organizations offering foreign contracts, trials, and scholarships, as seemingly attractive opportunities might lead to exploitation. Donkor stressed the importance of protecting young athletes' dreams, dignity, and future from becoming victims of trafficking in the name of sports.
The CID remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led investigations, protecting victims, and collaborating with sporting institutions and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks. Donkor reiterated that sports should be a channel for opportunity and national pride, not a trap for exploitation.
The warning comes amid broader national concerns about deceptive recruitment practices targeting Ghanaians seeking opportunities abroad. Reports indicate that fraudulent recruitment continues to pose trafficking risks, with some victims experiencing forced labor and abuse overseas. These concerns are echoed by Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams, who highlighted the prevalence of exploitative recruitment schemes affecting young athletes.
This situation underscores the need for stronger safeguards in athlete recruitment, particularly for those aspiring to professional sports careers. Donkor's message reinforces the importance of vigilance, verification, and cooperation among all stakeholders to protect young athletes from exploitation.