Our Children Are Disappearing: Ghana Cannot Look Away ‎

Almost every week, a new photograph of a missing child circulates on WhatsApp, X and Facebook. In January 2026, Ghanaians on social media voiced alarm over an apparent surge in missing persons, especially children. I found no official national tally showing the scale, which is itself part of the problem. But the cases that have reached the public demand action.

What the cases show
Some ended in relief. A three-year-old girl missing since 22 January was found alive after days of searching. Others did not. In October, police in Tamale began investigating the deaths of three children, reported missing after leaving home for Islamic classes, whose bodies were found in a vehicle boot.

Some disappearances are organised crime. In May, the CID announced seven arrests in separate child trafficking and child sexual exploitation cases, including a midwife linked to the disappearance of a seven-year-old in Kasoa. Police also intercepted a suspect and a girl at Accra International Airport, a child allegedly taken from Agormanya Zongo.

Asokore Mampong and the Togo connection
In October, the Ashanti Region saw a case that shows how far a child can travel. Police began investigating an alleged child-stealing case involving two pupils of Happy Royal International School in the Asokore Mampong Municipality.

It was reported on 6 October, and police dismissed circulating claims that 11 pupils had been kidnapped. The children were reportedly later found in Togo [confirm]. If so, they had crossed an international border without being noticed. This is not new.

Two Ghanaian boys who speak only Twi were once found by strangers in a Togolese town, unable to explain how they got there. It is also why Ghana must work with Togo and its other neighbours on border checks and alerts.

What we should do
Report immediately. There is no waiting period. Call 191 or 112, or go to the nearest station. Police urge the public to use these numbers.

Strengthen AMBER Alert. Ghana introduced AMBER Alert Ghana with the Ghana Police Service and Meta last year. It needs wider awareness and faster activation.

Publish data. The Police and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection should release regular figures on children reported missing, found and still missing.

Secure the borders and break trafficking networks. Immigration, police and Togo's authorities must share alerts quickly. Hospitals, adoption channels and airports must be watched.

Equip children. A CID officer told a June 2026 forum that children who can name landmarks and basic details about themselves are easier to reunite with their families.

Supervise and verify. Never release a child to an unfamiliar person, and agree on a family password for pickups. Schools must tell parents immediately when a child is absent unexpectedly.

Act as a community. Zongo elders, chiefs, churches, mosques and market associations should report strangers lingering around schools.

Be careful online. Share verified alerts only, and take posts down once a child is found.

Conclusion
A country is judged by how it protects its smallest citizens. Every missing child is a failure of vigilance in the home, the community or the state. Ghana should treat this as a national emergency, not a social media trend.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

References
GhanaWeb, "Three missing children reports that have gripped social media," 30 Jan 2026. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Three-missing-children-reports-that-have-gripped-social-media-2019505

Pulse Ghana, "Missing 3-year-old found alive after days of search," 31 Jan 2026. https://www.pulse.com.gh/story/missing-3-year-old-found-alive-after-days-of-search-2026013110174124836

Ghana News Agency, "Police investigate deaths of three children found in vehicle boot in Tamale," 6 Oct 2026. https://gna.org.gh/2026/10/police-investigate-deaths-of-three-children-found-in-vehicle-boot-in-tamale/

GhanaWeb, "CID uncovers child trafficking syndicate; 5-year-old girl still missing," 12 May 2026. https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/crime/CID-uncovers-child-trafficking-syndicate-5-year-old-girl-still-missing-2034198

The Standard (Kenya), "Ghana police foil child trafficking attempt, rescue victim bound for Kenya," 23 Apr 2026. https://standardmedia.co.ke/africa/article/2001546110/ghana-police-foil-child-trafficking-attempt-rescue-victim-bound-for-kenya

Citinewsroom, "Police arrest midwife in suspected child trafficking syndicate," 12 May 2026. https://www.citinewsroom.com/?p=1345547

Adomonline, "Police deny reports of 11 kidnapped pupils, confirm child-stealing case in Ashanti Region," 7 Oct 2026. https://www.adomonline.com/police-deny-reports-of-11-kidnapped-pupils-confirm-child-stealing-case-in-ashanti-region/

MyJoyOnline, "Police investigate alleged child-stealing involving two pupils in Ashanti Region." https://www.myjoyonline.com/police-investigate-alleged-child-stealing-involving-two-pupils-in-ashanti-region/

YEN.com.gh, "2 Ghanaian kids found by strangers in Togo; unable to trace their path." https://element.liquiddesign.co.uk/181326-2-ghanaian-kids-by-strangers-togo-unable-trace-path.html (an older case, with no date shown in the source)

Atinka Online, "Teach Children to Identify Landmarks to Help Prevent Missing Person Cases," 16 Jun 2026. https://atinkaonline.com/?p=131641