Ghana Launches 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking Campaign with Focus on “Sports Trafficking”

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has officially launched activities toward Ghana’s commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking, with a call to “blow the whistle” on the growing threat of sports trafficking and the exploitation of young athletes.

The media launch held at the Accra City Hotel on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, brought together government officials, development partners, the Human Trafficking Management Board, sports bodies, civil society organisations, law enforcement, and the media to unveil this year’s global theme: _“Human Trafficking Can End: The Time is Now – Blow the Whistle on Sports Trafficking.”_

Protecting Youth Ahead of Global Sports Events

Opening the event, Chief Director of the Ministry, *Dr. Marian W.A. Kpakpah*, said the gathering reflected Ghana’s collective commitment to tackling one of the most critical human rights challenges facing societies today.

“It is a great pleasure to have you join us today for the Media Launch of activities towards Ghana’s commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking,” she said. “Your presence here this morning reflects our collective commitment to addressing one of the most critical human rights and protection challenges confronting societies across the world today.”

Dr. Kpakpah said the theme was timely as the world prepares for major international sporting events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup. She warned that trafficking networks continue to exploit the ambitions of young people through deceptive sports contracts, scholarships, overseas trials, and recruitment opportunities that often lead to abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

“For Ghana, where many young people see sports as a pathway to opportunity and success, this theme serves as an important reminder of the need to protect vulnerable youth from exploitation,” she said.

The launch also marked the start of the “Blue Day” initiative, a global solidarity campaign encouraging governments, institutions, communities, and citizens to raise awareness and take action against trafficking and exploitation wherever it occurs.

Dr. Kpakpah stressed that addressing trafficking requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral response involving government institutions, security agencies, civil society, traditional authorities, development partners, communities, and the media. She thanked stakeholders for their continued collaboration and urged the media to help amplify awareness throughout the campaign period.

2,331 Victims Rescued in 2025 as Ghana Scales Up Response

Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, *Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey*, said the fight against human trafficking remains a priority for the government of President John Dramani Mahama. She said Ghana has strengthened its legal and institutional response through the Human Trafficking Act, 2005, and its 2009 amendment, alongside provisions in child protection, criminal justice, and cybercrime laws.

Dr. Lartey reported significant progress in victim rescue and prosecution. She said collaborative efforts between government agencies, law enforcement, civil society, and international partners have led to increased detection and enforcement.

“Over the past five years, Ghana has recorded a steady increase in the number of victims rescued, reflecting the dedication and commitment of stakeholders involved in anti-trafficking efforts,” she said.

The number of victims rescued rose from 821 in 2021 to 846 in 2022, and to 1,089 in 2023. After a dip to 794 in 2024, the figure jumped to *2,331 in 2025*. Of those rescued last year, 1,542 were men, 789 were women, 425 were children, and 1,906 were adults.

Dr. Lartey attributed the sharp increase to improved collaboration, stronger enforcement operations, enhanced detection systems, and intensified action against emerging forms of trafficking, particularly cyber-related trafficking, online exploitation, and romance scam networks.

She added that prosecutions and convictions have also increased. In 2025, 106 offenders were prosecuted and convicted for cybercrime trafficking and exploitation-related offences, while 54 offenders were convicted for human trafficking and child labour-related offences after 222 cases were investigated.

“These outcomes send a strong message that Ghana will not tolerate the exploitation of its people, especially women and children, for criminal gain,” she said.

Call for Vigilance and Collective Action

Dr. Lartey stressed that enforcement alone is not enough. She said victims require protection, dignity, care, and opportunities for recovery and reintegration. Ghana continues to strengthen victim support services through shelters, psychosocial care, counselling, family tracing, reintegration assistance, and referrals to social protection services.

She highlighted the role of the Social Welfare and Community Support (SWECS) Call Centre as a key reporting and response mechanism for vulnerable persons, including victims of abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

“The fight against trafficking requires sustained partnerships, vigilance, and collective action,” she said. “Government alone cannot combat this menace without the support of communities, families, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, development partners, and the media.”

The Minister called on sports institutions to strengthen accountability and ethical recruitment standards, and urged parents, communities, and young people to be alert to deceptive opportunities. She made a special appeal to the media to continue exposing hidden exploitation and amplifying public awareness.

“Human trafficking thrives when communities remain silent, when suspicious activities are ignored, and when vulnerable persons are left unprotected,” she said. “Every citizen therefore has a responsibility to remain vigilant, report suspicious recruitment and movement of persons, protect children and vulnerable young people, and support efforts aimed at preventing exploitation in our communities.”

Dr. Lartey officially launched the activities for the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, urging partners to support regional commemorations to deepen awareness across the country.

“Human trafficking can end. This is the time to blow the whistle. This is the time to protect our young people. And this is the time to stand together against exploitation in all its forms,” she concluded.

The Ministry said it will continue working with partners to organize regional events and sustain the social media campaign in the lead-up to July 30, 2026.