What is Human Trafficking?

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Trafficking in persons is the selling of human beings for forced labor or other purposes. It is a heinous crime and human rights abuse. The most vulnerable members of the global community are those who have limited access to social services and protections, are targeted by traffickers for exploitation.

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No country is immune from human trafficking. Victims are forced into prostitution or to work in quarries and sweatshops, on farms, as domestics, as child soldiers, and in many forms of involuntary servitude. Traffickers often target children and young women. They routinely trick victims with promises of employment, educational opportunities, marriage, and a better life.

​(U.S.  Department of State. 2004. Trafficking in Persons Report. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State.)

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Human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity, following only drug and arms trafficking. An estimated $9.5 billion is generated in annual revenue from all trafficking activities, with at least $4 billion attributed to the worldwide brothel industry.

 

There are thousands of children along Lake Volta who are being used as slaves. These children are receiving no education or care from their masters.

 

Many of the children only receive one meal a day, which usually consists of gari soaked in the lake water.

 

Many of the parents are not interested in taking these children back as they have no means of taking care of them. Other parents see their children as a source of income, so if their children were to be returned home, they could be sold again. 

 

We build relationship with the local community leaders to evoke the release of children currently enslaved in this region of Ghana.