The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through the Human Trafficking Secretariat, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has brought together stakeholders from the tourism, travel and security sectors to strengthen their capacity to identify and respond to human trafficking risks.
The two-day Capacity Enhancement and Awareness Raising Session on Human Trafficking in, Around and Through Tourism and Sports, held from Wednesday, 30th September to Thursday, 1st October 2026, examined vulnerabilities linked to movement, recruitment, tourism and sporting activities, as well as practical measures to prevent exploitation and strengthen protection and response mechanisms.
In a Keynote Statement delivered on her behalf by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr Marian W. A. Kpakpah, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, noted that although tourism and travel connect people, communities and destinations, traffickers could exploit these sectors and sporting events to facilitate the movement and exploitation of vulnerable persons. She called for stronger awareness, ethical recruitment and effective referral mechanisms to identify persons at risk and provide appropriate protection and support.
She stressed that human trafficking is not only a criminal justice issue but also an assault on human dignity, freedom and fundamental human rights, requiring coordinated action across sectors. She also emphasised the need for responsible and transparent recruitment for employment, travel and sporting opportunities, with individuals provided accurate information on opportunities, terms and conditions.
The programme brought together representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Tourism Federation, travel and tour agencies and other relevant stakeholders. Discussions covered human trafficking and its links with migration, tourism and child exploitation, victim identification and protection, the National Referral Mechanism, ethical recruitment, trafficking in sports, safeguarding and child protection.
Participants also undertook sector-specific risk mapping for tourism, sports, travel and recruitment, while considering their roles in cascading knowledge and strengthening prevention, protection, referral and response measures.
The engagement is expected to enhance collaboration among government institutions, tourism and travel operators, sporting organisations, recruitment agencies, civil society organisations and development partners in addressing human trafficking risks across the sectors.
