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The government has been urged to increase funding for community-based initiatives in order to empower children and families in the fight against Human Trafficking in the country.
According to the Executive Committee Member of the Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking (CNACT), Mrs Jacqui Oyimer, investing more in awareness-raising campaigns would help broaden individual knowledge on Human Trafficking, which would empower them to take precautions against the act.
She was speaking at an inter-school debate held in Accra on Tuesday as part of activities to commemorate the United Nation’s Day Against Trafficking in Persons (Blue Day).
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, is a day celebrated on July 30 annually, is to raise awareness about human trafficking, and to promote and protect the rights of trafficking victims.
It was adopted by a United Nations resolution and first observed in 2014.
This year’s celebration is on the theme: ‘Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,’ a global campaign focusing on the vulnerability of children and accelerated action needed to end child trafficking, including exploitation in forced labour, criminality or begging, trafficked for illegal adoption, online and sexual abuse.
The debate, organised by the Human Trafficking Secretariat at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) in partnership with International Justice Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and Human Trafficking Fund, had four Junior High and Senior High Schools in participation.
The participating schools were Tesano (1) Junior High School debating against Police Depot Junior High School on the topic; “Sport can be an avenue for Human Trafficking,” while Odorgonnor Senior High School faced Accra Academy Senior High School on the subject; “If I desire to play Professional Football or any sporting activity, Am I vulnerable to Human Trafficking?.”
Accra Academy SHS emerged as the winners in the 2nd cycle schools with 91 points while Tesano (1) JHS also won in the 1st cycle schools, and they took away a plaque, medals, 100 exercise books, school bags, reading books and a laptop.
Odorgonnor SHS and Police Depot JHS took away 100 exercise books, bags, laptop, medals and reading books.
“This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to prioritise the protection and well-being of children, the most vulnerable victims of this dreadful crime which robs children of their innocence, their childhood, their education and their future,” Mrs Oyimer said.
She called on government, Civil Society Organisations and care-homes to work together to develop a comprehensive database of survivors and provide a centralised platform where they could continue to receive psychological and material support for well-being.
“We urge continuous proactive enforcement of our laws to prevent child trafficking, to prosecute perpetrators, and to provide comprehensive support services for survivors,” she added.
The Chief Director of MOGCSP, Dr Afisah Zakaraiah, stated that the purpose of the debate and media launch was to create awareness among the public, especially the young ones on the dangers associated with human trafficking.
BY CECILIA LAGBA YADA
