Human Trafficking Fund Launched

The Vice- President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama has launched the Human Trafficking Fund,  aimed at controlling the scourge of human trafficking. He said the fund is very important as it is oriented to help rehabilitate trafficked victims and also establish micro-finance schemes to support parents of trafficked victims.

The fund will be used to enhance the Social Welfare Department's to effectively handle issues affecting the rights of children and women.

The Vice President said the Human Trafficking Act (694) is going to be enhanced through the human trafficking fund, stating that the government supports the pressing need of the less endowed, it also recognises the family unit as the basis of development and the government also believes in the rule of law and the rights of the individual, thus equipping women and children, he expressed the opinion that the proceeds will be used judiciously to meet the needs of victims.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama stated that the Human Trafficking Act (694) provides protection to both children and adults against trafficking, adding that

Act covers areas such as criminalisation of human trafficking, complaints and arrest, rehabilitation and reintegration of rescued victims, among others.

She further said that the advocacy programmes have been on- going and the Ministry is providing support for children and parents and commended partners and stakeholders such as UNICEF, ILO and IMO for their support as well as the government for its contribution of a hundred thousand Ghana cedis(GH¢100,000.00) to the fund.

A speech read on behalf of the Minister for Manpower, Youth and Development, Nana Akomea by Madam Margaret Kutu- Achi stated that the Ministry is hoping that all rescued victims will be brought back to normal from their dehumanizing stage and that the Ministry is going to equip the various Social Welfare Department's to efficiently handle cases of child and adult abuse.