The Ghana Police Service successfully rescued 60 victims of human trafficking in a series of operations conducted between September 5 and September 19, 2025.
The operations are a significant win in the country’s ongoing battle against a crime that the U.S. Department of State has identified Ghana as a Tier 2 country for, meaning it is making significant efforts but does not yet fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, confirmed the rescues at a press conference on Saturday, September 20.
She specified that the victims included 41 foreign nationals who were rescued within Ghana’s borders and 19 Ghanaian nationals who were saved from exploitation abroad.
All victims have since been handed over to relevant agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and civil society organisations, for support, rehabilitation, and reintegration with their families.
COP Donkor emphasised that these operations are a crucial part of the police force’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
“These operations form part of our ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation,” she stated.
The Human Trafficking Act of 2005 (Act 694), which criminalises both labour and sex trafficking, serves as the legal backbone for these enforcement actions.
According to a recent report by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, authorities have made notable progress, with 79 prosecutions and 54 convictions recorded between 2023 and 2024.
As transnational trafficking networks become more sophisticated, the police are urging the public to be cautious, particularly when presented with enticing job offers that involve travelling long distances or through multiple countries by road. COP Donkor issued a stark warning.
“No legitimate recruitment agency will require people to travel by road through several countries as part of an employment process.” This advisory aims to counter the deceptive tactics used by traffickers, who often lure victims with promises of lucrative jobs or educational opportunities.
The police are also calling on victims and their families to play an active role in the fight against trafficking by reporting their experiences to the nearest police station.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Ghana Police Service, established in 2008, has a specific mandate to rescue victims, arrest perpetrators, and investigate cases.
Under the law, anyone found guilty of trafficking a person can face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment.
COP Donkor concluded her statement with a call for a unified front against the crime.
This fight requires a collective effort. By working together, we can help prevent others from falling victim to these criminal networks,” she added.
This highlights the police force’s recognition that public vigilance and collaboration with communities and other state agencies are essential to tackling human trafficking effectively.