Members of Parliament have called for urgent and stronger measures to combat human trafficking across Ghana, describing recent data on the menace as alarming and a clear call for intensified government action.

The appeal was made during a capacity-building workshop organised for lawmakers by International Justice Mission (IJM), where participants raised concerns about rising trafficking cases and the need for tougher enforcement, improved funding, and stronger oversight mechanisms.

Chairman of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Ernest Yaw Anim, said statistics presented at the workshop showed the scale of the problem and demanded immediate intervention from both Parliament and the Executive.

“The numbers that were reported by the various presenters are a call for action, a call for action from Members of Parliament and a call for action from the Executive in how best we can help eradicate and combat trafficking issues in the country,” he said.

He stressed the need for government to review the level of punishment imposed on offenders, questioning whether existing penalties are strong enough to deter human trafficking, particularly child trafficking.

Mr Anim also reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening oversight responsibilities to ensure that laws are effectively implemented by relevant state institutions. He noted that the Human Rights Committee, recently formed by the Speaker of Parliament, will work closely with other committees to address funding constraints and improve enforcement efforts.

According to him, Parliament will also push for adequate budgetary allocations to agencies responsible for implementing anti-trafficking laws to enhance their operations nationwide.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Parliament’s Gender and Children Committee, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, acknowledged that completely eradicating human trafficking may be difficult but emphasised the need to reduce its prevalence through targeted social interventions.

She explained that poverty remains a key driver of trafficking, urging government to invest in education, social protection programmes, and economic empowerment initiatives to prevent vulnerable families from exposing their children to exploitation.

“If you don’t want children to go into child labour, you have to provide them with schools and resources,” she said, adding that improving livelihoods in affected communities could significantly reduce the practice.

The National Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at IJM, Worlanyor Kojo Forster, also noted progress in the country’s fight against human trafficking, including increased prosecutions, improved police interventions, and enhanced trauma-informed processes within the justice system.

However, he warned that efforts remain constrained by inadequate funding, particularly for victim rehabilitation and reintegration.

According to him, the Human Trafficking Fund received an allocation of GH¢1 million this year, which he described as insufficient to support victims effectively.

“We need somewhere in the region of four to five million cedis annually to make the fund fully operational,” he said, adding that several government agencies lack basic logistics such as vehicles to carry out interventions in vulnerable communities.

Mr Forster stressed the importance of sustained engagement between policymakers and stakeholders to ensure stronger legal frameworks, adequate resources, and better protection for vulnerable populations.

Human trafficking remains a major national concern in Ghana, particularly involving women and children who are often subjected to forced labour and exploitation. Lawmakers say stronger collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and international partners will be critical to tackling the growing threat.