Aliu launches special fund on human trafficking

Page 47 (lead) November/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine & Emma Ballantine Dykes

THE Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has launched a special fund to support the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at the elimination of human trafficking.
The fund will be under the control of the Human Trafficking Board, headed by the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs. Ministries, including Health, Education, Science and Sports, Manpower, Youth and Employment and the Interior, are also represented on the board.
Alhaji Mahama condemned trafficking of any kind, ranging from the relocation of a child to work in the house of a relative to the highly organised criminal activities which lured vulnerable individuals into sex slavery or bonded labour.
He added that the government was committed to addressing trafficking within the country and said that “rigorous interrogation and effective remedial measures” were needed.
The Vice-President explained that Ghana already subscribed to a comprehensive legislature and programme framework aimed at tackling the menace and had signed various international treaties and agreements.
“The Human Trafficking Act of 2005 (Act 694) is expected to be the spear point that drives other rules forward. In this regard, the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has detailed national action plans for effective implementation involving partnerships with relevant agencies, international development partners and civil society groups,” he stated.
He also drew attention to the various government schemes already in place which were designed to address the needs of those made vulnerable to trafficking due to poverty, mentioning the LEAP programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
He emphasised, however, that those measures could only be successful if individuals appreciated the role they had to play in the campaign against human trafficking.
“Law enforcement agencies in particular need to be sensitive in their dealings because cross-border agreements are only as effective as the will to enforce them,” he warned.
The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, also underlined the seriousness of the issue, describing human trafficking as “a dehumanising heinous crime” which called for concerted effort for its elimination from society.
She gave assurance that developing the institutions involved in ending human trafficking and helping victims was a key aim of the Human Trafficking Board, adding that initiatives were already underway to sensitise and build the capacity of government officials, law enforcement and security agencies, the judiciary, civil society organisations, the media, religious bodies and children.
She highlighted the board’s efforts at assisting in the rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficked persons, providing support in the form of school uniforms, clothing, micro-finance and alternative livelihood skills training.
Hajia Mahama added that through interaction with community opinion leaders, chiefs, traditional rulers and queens, the board hoped to raise awareness of the issue in communities identified as ‘sending’ and ‘receiving’ areas.