The Digest:
Ghanaian police have arrested 12 Nigerian women and one Ghanaian woman during a special operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking in Koforidua, Eastern Region. According to the New Juaben South Municipal Police Command, a landlord and a bouncer were also arrested for facilitating the illegal operations. The arrests followed a complaint from a 30-year-old Nigerian woman who reported being trafficked from Nigeria by her alleged mistress, who required her to meet a daily sales target of 400 Ghana cedis from prostitution. When she raised only 250 cedis, she was physically assaulted. Police investigations revealed a brothel operating in Dabiasem, where condoms were found. Suspects, aged between 15 and 32, are in custody facing charges under Ghana's Criminal Offences Act, which prohibits prostitution, human trafficking, and operating brothels.
Key Points:
- The victims, including minors as young as 15, have endured exploitation, physical abuse, and entrapment in modern slavery.
- Cross-border trafficking networks continue to prey on vulnerable young women with false promises of legitimate work.
- Trafficked women bear the immediate harm, while traffickers and enablers face prosecution under Ghanaian law.
- The case exposes the brutal "queen mother" system that traps Nigerian women in debt bondage in Ghana's sex trade.
- The timing underscores urgent calls for stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana on human trafficking.
Sources: Linda Ikeji's Blog, Ghana Police Service
