Stakeholders at this year’s National Justice Conference have called for sustainable financing of child protection systems, warning that inadequate funding could undermine efforts to combat child labour exploitation and trafficking in Ghana.

The conference, held in Accra under the theme “Sustainable Funding for Child Protection Against Labour Exploitation,” brought together government officials, lawmakers, civil society organisations, faith leaders, survivors and development partners to discuss ways of strengthening long-term interventions for vulnerable children.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of International Justice Mission (IJM), the Director of the organisation’s West Africa Programme, Anita Budu, said sustainable funding had become an urgent requirement rather than a future ambition.

“Sustainable funding is no longer a future aspiration; it is an immediate necessity,” she told delegates.

Ms Budu said the conference was intended to serve as a platform where ideas are translated into practical action rather than just discussions.

She noted that child trafficking and labour exploitation continue to grow in scale and complexity, placing additional pressure on systems already struggling with limited resources.

“Even the best-designed interventions cannot be scaled, institutionalized, or sustained” without predictable financial commitment, she said.

The conference brought together key stakeholders including the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey; Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; IJM Regional President for Africa-Europe, Andy Griffiths; and Director-General for Special Duties and Marine Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Raymond Wejong Ali Adofiem.

Ms Budu highlighted progress made since the previous conference, including the continued rollout of the Social Welfare Information Management System (SWIMS), supported by UNICEF, and assistance to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment’s Child Labour Unit to improve data collection and reporting.

She also commended the Ghana Police Service for strengthening its data management systems, describing the move as an important step in improving efforts to identify and respond to exploitation and trafficking cases.

According to her, effective child protection requires strong collaboration among state institutions, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, survivors and development partners.

She acknowledged the contributions of institutions including the Ghana Statistical Service, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, the Judicial Service, the Human Trafficking Secretariat, the Department of Social Welfare and the Ghana Survivor Network.

The conference will continue with sessions expected to focus on policy direction, financing mechanisms and commitments aimed at improving Ghana’s child protection systems.

Stakeholders are expected to use the discussions to develop strategies that ensure child protection interventions are adequately funded, coordinated and sustained.