The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says it has rescued 150 girls who were being trafficked through various unapproved routes in the country.

This came to light at a meeting between the service and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) to re-strategize in their operations as key security agencies.

The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Takyi, noted his outfit is not relenting in the clampdown on human trafficking.

“Our officers are on the ground taking the risk to protect our borders and making sure that these girls are not trafficked.

“Yesterday, four were brought from Aflao. Ghanaians should take note about how our ladies are being trafficked outside with false impression that abroad is better than here,” he advised.

The girls most of whom were between the ages of 18 and 28 were attempting to travel outside with the assistance of human traffickers.

Ghana’s former Deputy Head of Mission to Saudi Arabia, Hajia Hawawu Boya Gariba, lent credence to speculations that government heavyweights and influential persons in society are behind the trafficking of young Ghanaian girls to the Gulf states.

She told Joy News that although she would not mention names, trafficking of girls to the Gulf States, many of whom are abused, has been difficult to fight due to the involvement of these influential persons.

“If you hear the names that go into this kind of business, you will be shocked. I cannot mention names now. But if you hear the type of big names that are involved in this thing you will not respect them again,” she said.

A chilling report by Joy News’ Kwetey Nettey has chronicled the ordeals of Ghanaian girls in the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia - rape, forced prostitution and physical abuse among accounts by the girls who return home

Some of the girls - recruited through phoney agencies or sold to persons by their guardians - told Joy News they are sometimes made to work menial jobs for a pittance and under harsh conditions.

There have been speculations that influential government officials and other respected persons are behind the practice, however, no arrests have been made.