The Volta Revival Foundation, an NGO focused on eliminating all forms of child abuse in the region, has revealed that it rescued 15 trafficked children engaged in child labor activities at Yeji and Akosombo in 2023.
The children, who were natives of Ada-Foah, Wekumagbe, Azizanya, and Totimekorpey in Ada-East and West districts, were found to be involved in fishing and animal herding activities.
The Country Manager, Julius Odoi Amesimeku, disclosed that the Foundation has since reconciled the children with their families and ensured their immediate reenrollment in school.
With support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the NGO has rescued, rehabilitated, and reintegrated about 55 children in the same districts.
Furthermore, some communities in Ada have been identified as ‘hotbeds’ for the trafficking of children to the Volta Lake for fishing, according to the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
Mr. Amesimeku called on the government to institute a strong child protection net for children with community and family members.
It is critically important that all organizations, including governmental and non-governmental, work together to eradicate child labor and human trafficking in Ghana.
This is an issue that affects the most vulnerable members of society, and their protection should be everyone’s priority.
