Sports must build dreams, not become a trap for human trafficking – CID boss

Ghana's Criminal Investigations Department (CID) head Lydia Yaako Donkor has warned that sports organizations must not exploit young athletes through human trafficking under the pretense of international sporting opportunities. Donkor cautioned that criminal gangs were preying on ambitions of young players seeking professional football contracts, international trials and sports scholarships in order to lure and traffic vulnerable individuals.

The warning came in a Facebook post following a training session organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, aimed at educating officers on identifying and combating human trafficking in sports. Donkor advised stakeholders to rigorously verify any promises of lucrative international contracts, scholarships or other professional sporting opportunities before allowing young athletes to pursue them.

She stressed that no young athlete should forfeit their freedom, dignity or future in the quest to achieve a sporting dream. "At the CID, we remain committed to strengthening intelligence-led investigations, protecting victims, and working with sporting institutions and global partners to identify and dismantle trafficking networks," Donkor stated.

For Donkor, sports should be a pathway to opportunity, discipline and national pride, rather than a route through which young talents fall prey to exploitation. She urged all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, sports organizations, families and international partners, to join forces to ensure young people can pursue their athletic ambitions safely. "Let us protect their dreams, safeguard their future, and ensure that no child becomes a victim of trafficking in the name of sports," she added.