Story Reported by Gideon Kotey
Elder S. Gifford Nielsen from the West Africa Area Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave the concluding remarks.
In his remarks, he introduced additional three Ps to support human trafficking work in Ghana.
According to him, he foresees other attributes that can make our work effective and efficient: prayer, passion, and patience.
This is where Engage Now Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection under the offices of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, hosted a workshop where various government institutions mandated by law and legislation participated.
The institutions that were present are CHRAJ, NCCE, Ghana Health Service, Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana Education Service.
Madame Abena Nobea led the workshop by facilitating the four Ps.
During the focus group discussion, which emphasized the four Ps: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership, every group presented their group work and questions and answers were provided to the participants.
The Country Director of Engage Now Africa Madam Cecilia Amankwa also graced the occasion by helping us understand what Engage Now Africa stands for.
According to her, most of the victims are exploited through commercial sex, labour and other means.
Mr. Afasi Komla, who is the executive director of Engage Now Africa, was also invited to speak at the workshop. He explained Article 3(a) of the UN Palermo Protocol.
According to Article3 (a) of UN Palermo Protocol states: “ Trafficking in person “ Shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud ,of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person, having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
The question of consent is irrelevant in the case of a child, as outlined in Article 3 (c) of the Palermo Protocol.In accordance with the conversation on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Palermo Protocol defines a “child “ as any person under 18 years of age. Article 3 (d).
The exploitative outcome need not be fulfilled for it to constitute a case of trafficking if the intent is discovered. According to Palermo Protocol.Human trafficking is a worldwide epidemic that deprives women, men, and children of their basic rights.It has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, that profits from exploitation.
All countries are affected, acting as countries of source, transit, destination, or a combination thereof.
Over the years, human trafficking has captured national attention and raised awareness of the different forms of exploitation and their consequences.It is crucial now more than ever for actors at the national, Regional, and Local levels to cooperate, coordinate and share responsibility in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana. In particular, government plays a significant role in reducing the vulnerability of potential victims and implementing development strategies that address the root causes of human trafficking.
In 2009, the US Department of State introduced the 4th P (Partnership ) to this comprehensive approach call for Partnership and share responsibilities.
As part of Engage Now Africa's approach to combating human trafficking, we collaborate with government institutions mandated by law or legislation to handle cases involving human trafficking, Harmful cultural practices, child labor, and violence against women and children, and other non-governmental organization, to create a stronger synergy in combating human trafficking and its related issues in the country.
In conclusion, I therefore plead with stakeholders to collaborate to fight against human trafficking.
Thank you all for coming.
Source: www.truthtvgh.com
Editor: Nii Amon