Step up efforts in combating human trafficking. Bani urges police service
The minister of the Interior, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, has urged the Ghana Police Service to step up efforts in combating human trafficking, which is becoming a blot on the country’s image.
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He said, “We have observed an increased trend in human trafficking across our borders and within our country and this is not a very good image.”
"Our brothers and sisters are being trafficked abroad to undertake activities that do not befit them as Ghanaians," he said.
He, therefore, challenged the police service, particularly the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, to live up to expectation by not only arresting the culprits involved in the activity but ensuring that the network of human traffickers was destroyed.
Working tour
Mr Bani, who was on a two-day working visit to the Ashanti Region, inspected agencies under the Ministry of the Interior and interacted with staff and addressed personnel of the Ashanti Regional Police Command at a special meeting with the outfit.
He also paid a courtsey call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and discussed issues concerning security in the region and peace in the country at large.
The Interioir Minister said the fight against human trafficking would require collaboration from other sectors such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
To this end, he said, an inter-ministerial committee had been set up to find a lasting solution to the problem.
"The government has appointed a liaison officer to support this process aimed at reducing activities of human traffickers in the country,” he said.
He said the committee would be working closely with the police to ensure the trade in human beings - both outside and within the country - was stopped.
Commendation
The Minister of the Interior commended the police for efforts they were pursuing to contain crime in the region as well as maintain peace necessary for development.
He said the ministry was monitoring events in the region and was glad to observe that the service was on top of issues.
Mr Bani said the ministry would continue to support the service by providing it with the necessary logistics to enable it to discharge its duties creditably.
Security situation
As a part of the tour, the minister called on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Alexander John Ackon, during which he was briefed on the current security situation in the region.
Regarding disagreements between Fulani herdsmen and residents of Agogo, the regional minister suggested that the issue be considered as a national one and not one left to be handled locally.
According to him, the matter required a multi-sectorial approach in resolving, since it bordered on national security, international relations and food security.
He said even if the region managed to get rid of the Fulani herdsmen, they would settle in other areas and might cause similar disturbance.
Mr Ackon said the regional security council had extended invitation to the youth of Agogo to join the council in its meeting on the matter in order that "together we can find a solution to the issue".
Projects
As part of the tour, Mr Bani inspected some public-private partnership (PPP) projects that were being undertaken at some divisional police headquarters. Under the PPP, a number of stores for rent and houses for accommodation were being put up for personnel of the service.
Two of such projects are under construction at the Suame Division and Oforikrom District Command of the police service.