By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Oct. 11, GNA – The Global Freedom Network (GFN), a faith-based arm of Walk Free, together with law enforcement agencies and faith-based leaders have resolved to work and collaborate to end all forms of modern slavery.
The menace, they said, occurred in different forms, shapes and sizes and from different spheres of life across the globe, including Ghana and required coordinated and collective efforts to curb it.
Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception and or abuse of power.
Speaking during the Faith in Action Against Modern Slavery Conference held in Ghana by GFN, Madam Franca Pellegrini, Head of the Network, said the organisation had in the last ten years equipped faith leaders across regions to recognise and respond appropriately to help end modern slavery.
She said they had also supported survivor-led initiatives, forged partnerships between faith communities, civil society and governments to influence laws, strengthen prevention and promote ethical practices.
“Today, over 50 million people worldwide live in modern slavery with men, women and children trafficked. Men are trapped in debt bondage in fields and factories, women are exploited in domestic servitude and children forced into marriages they did not choose,” Madam Pellegrini said.
She said slavery was a moral crisis seen in supply chains, online spaces and neighbourhoods, adding that faith leaders shaped norms, values, and behaviours and must work with traditional leaders to change harmful traditions and inspire communities toward justice.
“Collaboration is non-negotiable as no single faith, organisation or government can end slavery alone. Interfaith solidarity, cross-sector partnerships and survivor leadership are essential. Real change happens when words translate into action,” Madam Pellegrini said.
She said: “Each of us has a role to play through sermons, community programmes, advocacy and support for those at risk. Faith leaders, let your pulpit be a platform for freedom. Government officials, let your policies uphold human dignity and survivors, your leadership is essential.”
The Global Estimates of Modern Slavery in 2021, indicate that about 28 million were in forced labour out of the 50 million people estimated to be living in situations of modern slavery. About 22 million were also in forced marriages and nearly 10 million more men, women, girls and boys have been forced to work or marry since 2016.
Mrs Abena Annobea Asare, Head, Human Trafficking Secretariat, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, urged religious leaders to be measured in their prophecies on travels and child birth as their congregants jumped at any travel opportunities based on prophecies without any verification.
She called for collaboration amongst all stakeholders, especially between the law enforcement agencies and the faith-based organisations, adding that the Ministry had built the capacities of over 1000 people, including professionals to create awareness.
DSP William Ayaregah, Head, Anti-Trafficking Unit, Ghana Police Service, said the Service had keenly been prosecuting offenders of human trafficking and its related offences, adding that they had prosecuted 15 cases and offenders convicted.
“We can do better than what we do if we get support from CSOs, NGOs, chiefs, opinion leaders and community members. We want to declare zero tolerance of human trafficking. Whilst Ghanaians are being trafficked to some countries, some nationals are also being trafficked into the country but we are curbing the menace,” he said.
Most Rev Dr Paul Boafo, President, African Methodist Council, Methodist Church Ghana, urged faith leaders to work with the agencies to educate their members on the dangers of migration so that members must not see travels as the only solution.
“We are the people who hear the most stories, the stories of humiliation, kidnapping and trafficking. We must create the awareness and advise our congregants to engage in genuine travels. From our pulpit and the mosque, we are prepared to create the awareness,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie