'Human traffickers will face prosecution' — GIS Comptroller-General warns

The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Samuel Basintale Amadu, has cautioned the public against the increasing incidence of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

He warned that the Service, together with other security agencies, will arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable of the crime.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the GIS Comptroller-General called on the public to assist the Service in combating the menace.

"The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, strongly condemned human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and illegal migration.

"He stressed that offenders will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, warning that state security agencies will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable persons or breaches of immigration laws," the statement said.

It further urged the public to remain vigilant, noting that traffickers often use deceptive tactics such as recruitment through social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, false promises of employment or travel opportunities, and demands for upfront payments by self-styled travel agents.

The warning comes after a Nigerian trader, Ada Peace, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for human trafficking and immigration offences.

The charges, filed by the GIS, followed an intelligence-led operation by its Asankragwa Sector Command that rescued two victims, aged 21 and 13, from exploitation.

The statement signed by Head of Public Affairs, DSI Barbara Sam, further noted that the convict entered Ghana illegally in 2024 with her accomplice, Rejoice Opara, who was fined and discharged by the court.

According to the Service, investigations established that the victims were lured from Nigeria with promises of employment as shop attendants in Ghana but were instead forced into prostitution.