Challenging Heights, a Ghana-based human rights organisation, has rescued 82 victims of human trafficking and forced labour since the start of 2025, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service.

Among those rescued were 57 children, 31 boys and 26 girls, who were freed from the fishing industry, and 25 Nigerian girls rescued from cross-border forced prostitution.

All victims have received various forms of support, with the 57 children benefiting from rehabilitation and educational assistance, while the 25 Nigerian nationals have since been repatriated.

Challenging Heights, a survivor-led Ghanaian NGO, operates the largest rehabilitation centre for trafficking victims in the country.

Led by its President, James Kofi Annan, the organisation commended the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Criminal Investigations Department, for 20 years of partnership in combating human trafficking in Ghana.

Over the past two decades, the organisation has rescued thousands of children from trafficking in various sectors, including fishing, mining, and farming.

According to the Global Slavery Index, more than 49.6 million people worldwide are trapped in modern slavery, with over 91,000 in Ghana alone. It is estimated that more than 21,000 children are engaged in forced labour on Lake Volta.

Challenging Heights has called on the Finance Minister to allocate at least GHS20 million to the Human Trafficking Fund in the upcoming 2026 budget. It has also urged the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to amend the Human Trafficking Act, 2005, to address current realities.

Human trafficking remains a criminal offence under Ghana’s laws, carrying a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 25 years’ imprisonment. The organisation has urged the public to avoid any actions that could contribute to trafficking and exploitation.