Stakeholders Unite to Address Street Connected Children and Trafficking Issues

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through the Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS), has held a Stakeholder Consultative Meeting on the influx of school-going aged foreign nationals and the associated security risks linked to trafficking syndicates.

This is in response to emerging concerns over the increasing number of street connected children and the activities of trafficking syndicates have renewed calls for stronger collaboration among state institutions, security agencies, development partners and civil society organizations to protect vulnerable children and safeguard national security.

The meeting brought together representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, law enforcement and security agencies, development partners and key stakeholders to deliberate on practical and coordinated interventions to address the growing phenomenon of street connected children, child trafficking, forced street begging and related vulnerabilities.

Delivering her remarks, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey described the situation as an urgent national concern that requires immediate, collective and multi-sectoral action.

She noted that while immigration within the West African sub-region remains consistent with the principles of regional integration and ECOWAS Protocol on free movement, there are increasing concerns that some children are being exposed to exploitation, abuse, child labour, trafficking, forced street begging and other harmful practices.

The Minister further stressed the need to address related social issues including child gambling, substance abuse and the growing risks confronting children living and working on the streets.

She called for strengthened rehabilitation and reintegration measures including family tracing and reunification where appropriate as well as support programmes centred on education, apprenticeships and mentorship to help affected children reintegrate into society.

Dr Momo Lartey underscored that the protection of children remains a shared responsibility and cannot be addressed by one institution alone.

“No single institution can adequately address these challenges in isolation. It is therefore imperative that we work collectively to ensure that every child within our borders is protected from exploitation, abuse, neglect and trafficking,” she stated.

Discussions during the meeting focused on the overview of the situation of street connected children, the causes and emerging trends associated with trafficking syndicates, irregular migration and possible refugee- related concerns.

Stakeholders including the Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Ghana Immigration Service Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit, National Security, Ghana Refugee Board among other critical stakeholders shared perspectives and experiences on the issues and proposed practical short term interventions.

Participants also explored collaborative approaches towards prevention, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration in line with the Ministry’s broader commitment under the Five-Year Strategic Plan for Street Connected Children and Young Persons (2024-2028), which emphasises coordinated stakeholder action, child protection systems strengthening and sustainable solutions for vulnerable children.

Stakeholders pledged their commitment to deepen collaboration, strengthen information sharing and adopt practical resolutions aimed at protecting children from exploitation while promoting their welfare, dignity and development.

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