[ 2017-02-13 ]

Police rescue 24 children from Volta Lake
The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (ATHU) at the
Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
Headquarters, the Marine Police Unit with support
from the Eastern Regional Police Command in
collaboration with International Justice Mission
(IJM) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and
Social Protection have rescued 24 male children
from the Volta Lake.

The Police during the operation arrested 16
suspects who are currently on police enquiry bail
assisting with investigations.

The rescued victims whose age range between 7 and
16 years are currently being sheltered and
undergoing counselling, medical screening and
rehabilitation.

The joint rescue mission, which took place on
January 24, 2017, is in line with the Police
Administration’s collaborative efforts with
partners to end child trafficking and forced
labour on the Volta Lake and other parts of the
country.

IJM, which is a Non-Governmental Organization
(NGO) is also supporting the Department of Social
Welfare and some shelters to ensure housing, care,
education and support for these children as part
of their restoration and rehabilitation
processes.

A statement signed by Director-General of the
Criminal Investigations Department added
trafficking is an offence under the Human
Trafficking Act,2005 (Act 694) and parents are
advised not to allow their children to be
trafficked or sold into forced labour for monetary
gains.

The statement also cautioned Parents and guardians
to be wary of people and relatives who approach
them for their children under the guise of helping
to put them in schools in the cities.

The statement concluded by calling on the Police
Service to continue to work with government
agencies, IJM and other interest groups to end
child trafficking and forced labour in Ghana
through sensitization, rescue operations,
protection of victims and prosecution of
offenders.

Source - Starrfmonline.com.

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