A significant milestone has been achieved in the battle against human trafficking following the inauguration of the Aflao Transitional Shelter in the Volta Region.

The ceremony, attended by key stakeholders and dignitaries, highlights the collaborative efforts between international and local entities to combat this global scourge.

Alessandro Rabbiosi, Project Director at Expertise France, delivered a compelling speech, expressing gratitude to Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Municipal Chief Executive of the Ketu South Municipality, the Head of the Governance and Security Sector of the European Union Delegation, and other distinguished guests.

"On behalf of the entire Expertise France team, I would like to welcome you to this inaugural ceremony of the Aflao Transitional Shelter," Rabbiosi began. "Allow me to express our profound gratitude to each of you for warmly welcoming us; it’s always such a great pleasure to be in Ghana."

Expertise France, the French agency for international technical expertise, has been instrumental in the fight against human trafficking through its regional project to support the fight against trafficking in Six Gulf of Guinea countries.

Funded by the European Union and France since 2019, the five-year project supports Togo, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria in enhancing their anti-trafficking efforts.

The project is structured around four key components: institutional and operational consolidation and preventive actions, law enforcement, victim protection, and regional cooperation. Rabbiosi highlighted the various actions taken under this project, which have significantly benefited officers and communities in and around Aflao.

"After years of implementation, it brings me great joy and satisfaction to stand here today on the occasion of the inauguration of the Aflao Transitional Shelter," Rabbiosi stated.

He emphasised the severe impact of human trafficking, mentioning specific forms such as child trafficking, sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, organ trade, domestic servitude, and street begging.

Aflao, being a border town, is particularly vulnerable to these issues due to the cross-border and circular trafficking prevalent in West Africa.

The inauguration follows the successful renovation of the Human Trafficking Secretariat building and a children's shelter in Accra. Rabbiosi expressed optimism that the new Aflao Transitional Shelter would lead to further successes in Ghana's fight against human trafficking.

Rabbiosi concluded his speech by thanking the project's donors and partners, particularly the European Union, Ghanaian national partners, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Human Trafficking Secretariat. He also acknowledged the support from law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and the Expertise France project implementation team.

The inauguration of the Aflao Transitional Shelter represents a beacon of hope and a testament to the unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking in Ghana and the broader West African region.

The Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman in her speech noted that the rescue of victims is a crucial component of the comprehensive strategy to counter human trafficking.

Ghana is known to be a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking victims. According to her, each rescue operation is an intervention designed to remove individuals from exploitative situations.

All potential human trafficking cases identified must be reported immediately so that assistance can be provided. Shelters play a vital role in supporting initial screenings, conducting interviews, and determining whether further assistance is needed.

''Today, we have gathered to inaugurate and commission the transit shelter, which will enhance the identification, protection, and care of victims, as well as improve our prosecution rates. As of 2023, there were 109 reported cases involving 116 defendants. We successfully prosecuted 41 cases.

Of these, 21 cases were tried under the Human Trafficking Act, resulting in 26 convictions, Dakoa Newman said.

She expressed her profound gratitude to the European Union and Expertise France for funding this project and collaborating with the Human Trafficking Secretariat under the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana.

''I have been informed that the project has fulfilled its purpose, and this is not the only facility that has been refurbished. In Accra, we have also renovated our shelter and office to improve victim care and promote a quality working environment for providing trauma-informed care to rescued victims” she said.