Ghana risks losing US support in fight against human trafficking
Ghana is likely to lose a minimum of $650 million because of its poor performance in the fight against human trafficking in the country, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, has said.
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He said the country had been on the Tier 2 Watch List of the United States (US) for the past two years, and if a country was listed for three consecutive years, the US government would withdraw its support for that country.
Visit
During a visit to the Madina Social Welfare Centre (MSWC) in Accra last Friday, Mr Dery said the government was, therefore committed to fighting human trafficking to prevent sanctions by the US government.
The minister was at the centre to inspect work on some facilities being provided to ensure maximum protection of victims of human trafficking.
They included the erection of a wall and the provision of water, the cost of which are being borne by Societe Generale Ghana Limited (SGGL).
The centre has the capacity to accommodate 40 victims of human trafficking.
The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba, and other officials of the two ministries.
Trafficking fund account
Mr Dery said the human trafficking fund account funded by the government had not received any lodgements for years but this year GH¢500,000 had been deposited into the account, to intensify the fight against trafficking.
“The welfare of our people, especially children, is paramount and so this government will do everything necessary to meet the requirement of making sure that children are not trafficked in the country,” he said.
Mr Dery called for collaboration from other ministries, as well as other international bodies, in the effort to eradicate human trafficking in the country.
According to him, the US government would be willing to rehabilitate two dormitories of the facility if the government assisted the cause.
He lauded the efforts of the SGGL and encouraged the bank to offer more support.
For her part, Ms Djaba said the ministry would work in concert with other stakeholders to reduce trafficking to the barest minimum and provide shelter for victims of trafficking.
She said the renovation was necessary to ensure the maximum security of its inhabitants.
Ms Djaba said the ministry would help to ensure that the future of victims of trafficking was not shattered.
