Engage Now Africa (ENA), a Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to healing, rescuing, and uplifting vulnerable communities, has organised a stakeholder consultation forum at Suhum in the Eastern Region to address the growing menace of modern slavery and human trafficking.

The forum, held under the theme “Awareness, Action & Impact”, brought together security agencies, police officers, immigration officials, social welfare officers, religious leaders, and community representatives from Suhum and surrounding areas.

Discussions focused on human trafficking, child labour, and other forms of exploitation that continue to threaten lives and undermine human rights across Ghana.

Speaking to Accra FM/CTV News, Mr. Afasi Komla, Director of the End Modern Slavery (EMS) programme at ENA, explained that modern slavery covers a wide range of abuses, including forced labour, forced marriage, and trafficking.

Victims, he said, are often unable to refuse or escape such situations due to coercion, deception, or abuse of power.

“It is ENA’s mission to educate, create awareness, and promote anti-human trafficking actions in vulnerable communities like Suhum and Ada.

We also work with partners to rescue victims, rehabilitate them, and prosecute traffickers, while ensuring lasting socio-economic impact,” he said.

Mr. Komla highlighted common forms of human trafficking in Africa, including child trafficking in fishing and illegal mining, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, and even ritual practices.

He attributed these to poverty, ignorance, homelessness, weak law enforcement, and socio-political challenges.

To combat the problem, ENA has rolled out several initiatives such as the Trafficking-Free Road Campaign, Community Stakeholder Forums, Regional Sensitisation Outreach, Anti-Slavery Youth Campaigns, Law Enforcement Training, and Rescue Operations.

The organisation collaborates with institutions including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Department of Social Welfare, Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), chiefs, Assembly Members, and other key partners.

While acknowledging the existence of laws against human trafficking in Ghana, Mr. Komla stressed that implementation remains a major challenge, especially as many urban dwellers are unaware of the scale of the problem in rural communities.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Suhum, Lydia Ohenewa Sarah, urged parents to take greater responsibility for the welfare of their children to prevent them from falling victim to traffickers.

“Parents must be watchdogs for their children, protect them, and ensure they receive education to become useful citizens,” she said.

Adding his voice, DSP William Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, called for stronger collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies in order to fight modern slavery effectively.