By Priscilla Oye Ofori, GNA
Accra, Nov. 06, GNA – Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, has urged stakeholders to jealously guard Ghana’s Tier 1 status on tackling humam trafficking.
She said the Tier 1 status came with huge a responsibility, describing it as the highest trust placed in the country, which Ghana could not afford to fumble or be complacent about.
Dr Lartey made the call at the third-quarter meeting of the Human Trafficking Management Board in Accra, held to review activities of the Human Trafficking Secretariat and discuss priorities for the ensuing year.
Annually, the United States Department of State publishes the Trafficking in Persons Report, ranking countries based on how well their governments are fighting human trafficking.
Tier 1 means a government fully meets the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, while Tier 2 means it is making significant efforts but has not fully met the standards, and under the Tier 2 Watch List, it implies that a country’s efforts are slipping, or victim numbers are rising.
However, for a country to be rated under Tier 3, it means a country is not meeting the standards and not making significant efforts, but Tier 1 is not permanent as countries can slip back.
Dr Lartey therefore called on partners to sustain coordinated and decisive interventions in prevention, survivor care and prosecution, as well as tackle emerging threats.
She commended Board members for their commitment, active participation and continued support for the Ministry’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
The Minister also acknowledged all stakeholders whose collective efforts contributed to Ghana’s historic upgrade to Tier 1 in the 2026 United States Trafficking in Persons Report.
Madam Abena Annobea Asare, the Director of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, presented updates on the Secretariat’s activities, highlighting ongoing interventions and areas requiring attention.
Discussions covered the status of the adult shelter, planned capacity-building activities and funding requirements, with emphasis on addressing outstanding resource needs.
The Board provides strategic direction and oversight for Ghana’s anti-trafficking response, bringing together institutions and stakeholders to prevent trafficking, protect victims, strengthen investigations and prosecutions, and address challenges associated with the crime.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
By Priscilla Oye Ofori