Techiman: Madam Mabel Lariba Awuni, a Justice System Associate at the International Justice Mission (IJM), has called for comprehensive stakeholder support to combat child trafficking, exploitation, and labour in the country. She emphasized the need for both public and governmental backing in adequately resourcing institutions such as the Police and the Department of Social Welfare to effectively identify and address this pervasive issue.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Awuni highlighted the necessity for these institutions to be equipped with vehicles and other essential logistics to proactively tackle the problem. Her remarks were made during a five-day training workshop on child trafficking and labour held in Techiman, Bono East Region, organized by the IJM to empower social welfare personnel in their fight against these abuses.
Madam Awuni stressed that child trafficking and exploitation are severe forms of human rights violations that hinder the holistic development of children. She remarked that children are divine assets, and it is society's duty to nurture and protect them for a prosperous future. Adequately funding public institutions, she noted, would enable them to effectively track traffickers and syndicates, and she advocated for shelters and proper care for rescued victims.
She asserted that the legal framework regarding child trafficking and exploitation is clear and urged law enforcement to prosecute offenders to deter similar acts. She also urged families who exploit their children for labour to cease such practices.
Madam Awuni warned that child trafficking often extends across borders, with victims frequently subjected to commercial sex work and other forms of exploitation that degrade their dignity and future prospects. She called for robust collaboration among traditional authorities, opinion leaders, civil society organizations, and community members to effectively address child trafficking and labour issues in the nation.