Gender Ministry Unveils 2026 Blue Day Campaign Against Sports Trafficking
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through its Human Trafficking Secretariat with support from the International Justice Mission (IJM), has officially launched the media campaign for the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, also known as Blue Day.
The event, organised under the theme: “Human Trafficking Can End: The Time is Now – Blow the Whistle on Sports Trafficking,” was sought to raise awareness on the growing issue of trafficking in sports, particularly among children, youth, and promising athletes who are deceived with false promises of football contracts, scholarships, and opportunities abroad.
The event also aimed to share insights, build awareness, and mobilise public support in combating human trafficking.
Delivering a keynote address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, commended development partners and all stakeholders for their collaboration, commitment, and continued support towards Ghana’s anti-trafficking efforts.
Touching on this year’s theme, she noted that greater attention is being paid to the risks of sports trafficking and the exploitation of young athletes and sporting talents as Ghana prepares for international sporting events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup. “Traffickers are taking advantage of sports and exploiting young talents,” she added.
The Sector Minister noted that government alone cannot combat human trafficking, as it requires sustained partnerships and collective action.
She appealed to the media to use their platforms, which have the power to educate, influence behaviour, expose criminal networks, amplify survivors’ voices, and sustain national attention on this heinous act.
Dr Momo Lartey encouraged all stakeholders to highlight the dangers of trafficking, especially emerging trends in sports trafficking, cyber-enabled exploitation, and deceptive migration schemes targeting young people in the country.
Addressing participants on behalf of the Chief Director of MoGCSP, Dr Marian W. A. Kpakpah, the Director for General Administration, Mr Ebenezer Charwey, stressed the urgent need for collective action to combat all forms of human trafficking, especially exploitation linked to sports recruitment and talent promotion.
He explained that many young people continue to fall victim to traffickers disguised as sports agents and recruiters, resulting in exploitation, abuse, and abandonment in foreign countries.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA),Dominic Hlordzi who represented the GJA president, remarked that journalism is not only about reporting events but also about protecting society, defending the vulnerable, and promoting justice.
He therefore pledged the GJA’s continuous commitment to supporting media advocacy against trafficking in persons and all forms of exploitation.
In a brief statement read by the Director for West Africa of the International Justice Mission (IJM), Madam Anita Budu described the media as first responders of truth and tasked them to heighten awareness in order to prevent such unfortunate situations.
She called on government to make adequate budgetary allocations to the Human Trafficking Fund to support prevention efforts, enable police officers to act, assist social workers in caring for survivors, support prosecutors, and pursue trafficking cases.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is commemorated annually as part of global efforts to raise awareness on human trafficking and promote the protection of victims.
This year’s campaign in Ghana is expected to feature nationwide sensitisation activities, media engagements, community outreach programmes, and stakeholder dialogues aimed at strengthening the fight against trafficking in persons.
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
