Ghana Records 91,000 Victims of Modern Slavery; 50 Million Affected Worldwide

Human rights advocacy group Global Freedom Network (GFN) has revealed that an estimated 91,000 people are trapped in modern‑day slavery in Ghana, contributing to a staggering 50 million victims globally.

The figures, drawn from research by the International Labour Organization (ILO), show that 54% of victims are in forced labour while 44% are in forced marriage.

Breakdown of Global Victims

Women and girls – 54% (27 million): 11.8 million in forced labour; 14.9 million in forced marriage.
Men and boys – 46% (23 million): 16.2 million in forced labour; 7.1 million in forced marriage.
Children – 24% of all victims.

Speaking on the CruzFM Morning Show, Madam Elizabeth Poku, Program Coordinator for GFN, warned that modern slavery is “quietly happening around us,” with women, children, asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and job seekers being the most vulnerable.

GFN, established in 2014, describes its mission as a “holy” crusade to eradicate slavery through advocacy, awareness creation, and global partnerships. The organization works closely with faith groups, governments, media, and civil society across Europe and Africa.

Madam Poku noted that slavery has been outlawed under international law since the 1926 and 1934 Slavery Conventions, yet practices such as human trafficking, forced labour, child marriage, and debt bondage continue to rise.

Global Faith Leaders Join the Fight

“We have been holding signing ceremonies around the world where religious leaders make declarations against slavery,” she said.

Between 2014 and 2018, these ceremonies were held in the Vatican, Delhi, Canberra, Jakarta, Buenos Aires, Auckland, and Medellín.

On 5th August 2021, Ghana hosted the first African declaration signing ceremony, where 14 religious leaders from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, and Nigeria pledged to combat slavery.

Recent Police Action in Ghana

The revelation comes as the Ghana Police Service announced on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 that 33 victims of human trafficking had been rescued and 28 suspects arrested.

According to DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director‑General of the CID, the operation targeted cyber‑enabled fraud, human trafficking, and illicit arms trafficking across Accra, Tema, and the Ashanti Region.

Security agencies have also intercepted several trafficking cases involving victims smuggled from Nigeria into Ghana this year.

Root Causes and Ongoing Interventions

GFN identifies poverty, political instability, famine, and natural disasters as the major drivers of modern slavery. The group also expressed concern over forced and child marriages, which persist due to entrenched cultural norms and low reporting.

To address the problem, GFN has intensified sensitization campaigns.

“In June 2022, we collaborated with transport unions and the Anti‑Trafficking Unit. We designed posters displaying the 18555 hotline and placed them on buses and at VIP and STC stations. We also sensitized passengers and drivers,” Madam Poku said.

GFN has also launched the ‘Faith for Freedom App’ on the Google Play Store to support religious leaders and faith‑based organizations in the fight against modern slavery.

The organization is urging government, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and all stakeholders to unite against all forms of human rights abuses amounting to slavery.

By: Issah Nabila Salifu