Human Trafficking: Ghana Police Rescue 33 Victims From Forced Sex Work

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with NGO Challenging Heights, has rescued *33 Nigerian girls* who were allegedly trafficked into Ghana and forced into commercial sex work.

According to the unit, many of the victims are *underaged*. They were reportedly lured from Nigeria by recruiters who promised them decent jobs and good pay. Instead, they were forced to engage in sex work, with all proceeds going to their traffickers.

Police say those who tried to leave were demanded to pay *GHS 20,000* before they could be set free. The rescue was carried out last week and the victims are currently being sheltered at the Challenging Heights rehabilitation center in the Central Region as plans are underway for their repatriation to Nigeria.

Speaking to the media, *Dr. James Kofi Annan, Founder of Challenging Heights*, said some of the girls are hesitant to return home due to extreme poverty, which made them vulnerable to trafficking in the first place.

“_A number of these girls don’t want to go back because of the extreme poverty that they found themselves in_,” he said. He added that some are appealing for support to gain jobs or vocational training instead.

Dr. Annan commended the Ghana Police Service for the rescue but called for more action.

He also urged the *Chief Justice to expedite the establishment of specialized courts* to handle human trafficking and cyber fraud cases.

“_We are calling on the Chief Justice to expedite action on this establishment as human trafficking increases in Ghana and therefore there is a need for expedited trials_,” he stated.

The report noted that trafficking of Nigerians into Ghana continues, with males often forced into cyber fraud and females into commercial sex work.

The victims were seen boarding a white bus during the rescue operation in Winneba. Authorities say investigations are ongoing.