Over 30 women feared trapped in prostitution in Savannah as GIS arrests trafficking suspect

More than 30 young women are feared to be trapped in remote camps in the Savannah Region, where they are allegedly being forced into prostitution after being lured with false promises of employment.

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) disclosed the situation following the arrest of a suspected human trafficking kingpin identified as Prince James, also known as Prince Odugbu.

The suspect was arrested during a late-night operation led by the Savannah Regional Command of the GIS, according to the Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Lawrence Agyei Agyapong.

DCOI Agyapong said the suspect allegedly operated a cross-border trafficking network spanning Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, exploiting vulnerable women through deception, fabricated debts and sexual exploitation.

The women were reportedly recruited in Nigeria, transported through Benin and Togo into Ghana through Aflao, and subsequently moved through Accra to remote locations in the Savannah Region.

One of the reported destinations is Kloth, a mining community in the Bole District, about 240 kilometres from Damongo, the regional capital. The area’s difficult terrain and limited road access reportedly make security operations challenging.

One survivor, a trained nurse who believed she had secured a healthcare job in Ghana, said she discovered upon arrival that the offer was a deception intended to force her into prostitution.

“When I reached Ghana, I realised it was not hospital work; it was prostitution work,” she recounted.

The victims were allegedly compelled to engage in prostitution to repay fabricated transportation debts before they could regain their freedom.

The alleged conditions expose the women to sexual violence, psychological trauma and prolonged exploitation, while their isolation makes escape difficult.

The survivor reportedly escaped under the cover of darkness and assisted authorities in tracking down the suspected ringleader.

The arrest has intensified calls for urgent action to rescue the women believed to remain in the camps and apprehend other suspected members of the network.

DCOI Agyapong said the suspect was being held at the GIS regional headquarters and assisting with investigations as authorities work to identify possible accomplices and locate the remaining victims.

The case has also drawn attention to the need for effective prosecution of human trafficking offences. Investigators are expected to gather evidence, establish the roles of suspected accomplices and protect survivors and witnesses to support the legal process.

The GIS has urged jobseekers to verify employment offers, particularly those involving travel, questionable recruitment arrangements or unexplained transportation fees. It has also encouraged the public to report suspected trafficking activities.

With more than 30 women feared to remain at risk, rescuing the alleged victims and dismantling the suspected trafficking network remain urgent priorities.