7 out of 10 human trafficking cases in Ghana never reach prosecution — JoyNews Research
Every year, hundreds of human trafficking cases are reported across Ghana. Children are rescued from forced labour on Lake Volta, young women are exploited through deceptive recruitment schemes, and vulnerable people are trafficked across borders under promises of better opportunities. Behind each case is a victim whose rights have been violated, and a criminal offence […]
In Ghana, human trafficking cases often fail to reach the prosecution stage, according to a JoyNews Research analysis. Between 2017 and 2025, authorities documented 1,264 cases, but only 361 were prosecuted, and just 158 resulted in convictions. This means that fewer than three out of ten reported cases proceeded to court, highlighting a significant gap in the criminal justice process.
Of the recorded cases, 7,407 victims were identified, with the highest number—2,331—coming in 2025 alone, representing nearly a third of all victims since 2017. Despite this, 44% of the 361 prosecuted cases led to convictions, indicating a stronger outcome further down the line. However, the investigation stage appears to be the primary bottleneck, as Nana Ama Doe Badu, a Justice System Associate with the International Justice Mission (IJM), explained that challenges include long travel distances to remote communities and logistical difficulties in gathering evidence.
Written by urgent.news from Adom Online's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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