The Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ghana, Madam Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, has led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
The visit was to officially congratulate the Minister on her appointment and to rekindle the strong partnership between the Ministry and IOM.
Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest, particularly in the fight against human trafficking, child protection, and the promotion of gender equality.
Both parties also explored joint strategies to combat child trafficking and streetism, and discussed how multi-stakeholder collaboration could significantly reduce the menace.
The conversation also highlighted the growing concern of trafficking in sports, with a commitment to collaborate with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to tackle the issue from the grassroots.
Madam Ndiaye commended the Ministry for its relentless efforts in preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations. She reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to providing technical and financial assistance to enhance the Ministry’s work in these critical areas.
The Chief of Mission further expressed IOM’s readiness to support reintegration programmes for victims of trafficking and to work with the Ministry to address issues related to alleged witches camps.
Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey praised IOM for its continued support to the Ministry over the years. She noted the government’s plan to expand existing shelters and establish new ones across all 16 regions to ensure rapid response and care for victims of abuse and trafficking.
“The Ministry is like the moral fibre of society, and our actions or inactions can have far-reaching consequences. Let’s do our best to rewrite history and leave a mark,” the Minister said.
She further announced plans to engage other relevant institutions—including the Ministries of Labour, Jobs & Employment, Youth and Recreation, and the Interior—to strengthen migrant protection mechanisms.
As part of the renewed collaboration, the Minister also hinted at the rollout of a robust capacity-building programme, in partnership with IOM, to train Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on effective migration management within their communities.
The meeting ended with both parties expressing a strong commitment to deepening cooperation to safeguard the rights and dignity of all, especially the most vulnerable.
Also present at the meeting were the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, Madam Abena Annobea Asare as well as the Head of the Social Protection Directorate.