Koforidua: The International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana has commenced a training programme to build the capacity of officers of the Social Welfare Department in the Eastern Region. Officers from the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in the region participated in the training aimed to strengthen their capacity to respond effectively to cases of human trafficking.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Vida Mamley-Selorm Hodinyah, the Social Services Manager of IJM Ghana, explained the organisation's mission was to protect vulnerable persons from violence by rescuing victims, prosecuting perpetrators, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and assisting local law enforcement. The participants were taken through topics such as case management, the Department of Social Welfare probation manual, laws on human trafficking, and trauma-informed care.
She noted the major challenge in dealing with trafficking matters was the settling of serious cases outside the courts through several interventions due to the social structure where traditional authorities were revered. Mrs. Hodinyah stressed that child trafficking was a serious criminal offense and urged the participants, who were the first line of contact in such cases, to ensure they followed the due course of the law to deal with perpetrators and deter others.
Mr. Ebenezer Amoah, Chief Director of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), stated that child trafficking is not just a statistical data point or a legal violation; it is a profound theft of innocence. The training was structured around critical pillars to refine protocols ensuring that from the moment of rescue to the point of reintegration, every step was coordinated, documented, and ultimately dismantled networks of trafficking.
The programme also acknowledged that a rescued child is not just a 'witness' or a 'victim,' but a survivor with deep psychological needs, prioritizing safety to avoid re-traumatization. It examined the critical role of probation officers in monitoring, rehabilitation, and ensuring legal frameworks are applied rigorously to hold perpetrators accountable and provide a shield for the vulnerable.
Nana Efua Amanfu, IJM Ghana's Justice System Associate, stressed that punishing child traffickers was key to ending this crime, disclosing that some parents had been jailed for child trafficking. She cautioned parents and guardians to be vigilant about the people they entrust their children to, as ignorance of the law was no excuse.
Mr. Isaac Koramoah Asante, Eastern Regional Director of the Social Welfare Department, thanked IJM Ghana for the training, stating that building the skills of the staff would enhance their understanding of trafficking matters and increase output.