Ghana elevated to Tier 1 in US trafficking in persons report

Ghana has been upgraded to Tier 1 status in the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which signifies the country meets the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking. International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana praised the government and stakeholders for this accomplishment, attributing it to persistent effort and coordinated action.

The improvement was attributed to significant progress such as prosecuting 212 alleged traffickers, securing 28 convictions, and identifying 2,331 victims, ensuring all identified victims received support services. The report also highlighted increased funding for victim assistance, enhanced training for police and frontline officers, and bolstered international cooperation to address new forms of trafficking, including cyber-enabled exploitation.

While the upgrade is celebrated, IJM Ghana noted that child trafficking, particularly in fishing and domestic work, remains a pressing issue. The report emphasized ongoing exploitation in agriculture, artisanal mining, and herding. IJM Ghana’s Director for West Africa, Madam Anita Budu, commended the government and stakeholders for their dedication, but also highlighted the need for continued action to protect children and survivors, and hold traffickers accountable.

She emphasized that this Tier 1 status should spur further efforts, not signal the end of anti-trafficking initiatives, calling for sustained collaboration and adequate funding for frontline institutions.