The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for urgent national action against sports trafficking and all forms of human exploitation, warning that criminal networks are increasingly targeting vulnerable young people through false promises of sports opportunities abroad.
Speaking at the media launch for the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking, popularly known as Blue Day, the Minister stressed that the time had come for Ghanaians to “blow the whistle” on traffickers who exploit the dreams and ambitions of young athletes.
Addressing stakeholders, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the media, Dr. Agnes Lartey described this year’s theme, “Human Trafficking Can End: The Time Is Now. Blow The Whistle On Sports Trafficking,” as timely and highly relevant, especially as preparations intensify globally towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to her, sports should represent hope, discipline, opportunity and national pride, but traffickers and exploiters are taking advantage of the aspirations of young people and their families through fake sports contracts, overseas trials, scholarships and recruitment schemes.
She warned that many victims end up trapped in forced labour, abuse, exploitation, irregular migration and trafficking situations after being deceived by criminal syndicates operating under the guise of legitimate sports opportunities.
Dr. Agnes Lartey noted that sports trafficking often hides behind ambition and legitimacy, making it more difficult to detect, and therefore called on parents, communities, sports institutions and the media to remain vigilant and expose suspicious activities before vulnerable youth fall victim.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to combating human trafficking through stronger enforcement, public education and institutional collaboration. She highlighted Ghana’s legal framework, including the Human Trafficking Act 2005 and its amendment in 2009, as well as ongoing cooperation among law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and international partners.
She disclosed that Ghana recorded significant progress in anti-trafficking efforts in recent years, revealing that the number of rescued victims sharply increased to 2,331 in 2025, compared to 794 in 2024. Out of the rescued victims, 425 were children while 1,906 were adults.
According to the Minister, the figures demonstrate improved collaboration among institutions, enhanced detection systems, stronger public awareness and intensified operations against emerging crimes such as cyber-enabled trafficking and online exploitation.
She further disclosed that about 106 offenders were prosecuted and convicted for cybercrime, trafficking and exploitation-related offences in 2025, while an additional 54 offenders were convicted for human trafficking and child labour-related offences after more than 2,000 cases were investigated.
Dr. Agnes Lartey assured victims of government’s continued support through shelter services, psychosocial care, counselling, reintegration programmes and social protection interventions.
She also underscored the importance of the Social Welfare and Community Support Call Centre as a safe reporting platform for victims and communities to report abuse, exploitation and trafficking-related activities.
The Minister appealed to the media to intensify public education and continue exposing trafficking networks, particularly emerging trends involving sports trafficking, cyber-enabled exploitation and deceptive migration schemes targeting young people.
She stressed that ending human trafficking requires collective national responsibility and sustained partnerships among government institutions, communities, families, traditional leaders, civil society groups and development partners.
Dr. Agnes Lartey officially launched activities towards the 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking and urged all Ghanaians to become ambassadors in the fight against exploitation and trafficking.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Maryam Kaaka, in a speech read on her behalf, emphasized the importance of the Blue Day campaign in raising awareness and mobilising national action against trafficking.
The Member of Parliament for Salaga South and Vice-Chairperson of Parliament’s Gender, Children and Social Welfare Committee, Hon. Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, also called for stronger collaboration to protect young athletes from traffickers who use fake sports opportunities to lure victims into exploitation.
She stressed that human trafficking thrives in silence and urged Ghanaians to remain alert, report suspicious activities and work together to protect the dreams and future of young people.
