NCCE and IJM Intensify Human Trafficking Awareness at Asafotufiami Festival in Ada.

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana, intensified public education on human trafficking in Ada as part of activities marking this year’s Asafotufiami Festival. The initiative sought to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, particularly child trafficking, and to encourage collective efforts towards protecting children and preventing their exploitation.

Prior to the grand durbar, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, and Ms. Rita Amparbin, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at the NCCE, joined the Ada East and Ada West District Directors and an official from IJM for radio discussions on Radio Eagle and Radio Ada.

The discussions focused on the meaning of human trafficking, its causes and effects, the various forms it takes, and the vulnerability of children to trafficking and exploitation. The officials also highlighted the important role of parents, community members, and other stakeholders in identifying, preventing, and reporting suspected cases of human trafficking.

The radio discussions provided an opportunity to reach a wider audience across the Ada communities and encouraged listeners to remain vigilant in protecting children from trafficking.

The Asafotufiami Festival provided a strategic platform for the NCCE and IJM to intensify public education on human trafficking among residents and festival-goers. The engagement focused on raising awareness of the dangers of human trafficking, particularly child trafficking, and encouraging members of the public to take an active role in identifying, preventing, and reporting suspected cases of trafficking.

Survivors of human trafficking also participated in the engagement and shared their personal experiences, helping to draw public attention to the realities and devastating consequences of human trafficking. Their testimonies provided a powerful and practical perspective on the impact of trafficking on victims and reinforced the need for stronger community efforts to prevent the practice and protect vulnerable persons, particularly children.

As part of the awareness campaign, the NCCE and IJM established a promotional stand at the festival grounds, where educational materials on human trafficking were displayed and distributed to residents, festival-goers, and other members of the public. The materials provided information on the meaning and various forms of human trafficking, its dangers and effects, as well as practical measures for preventing and reporting suspected cases of trafficking. The stand also provided an opportunity for members of the public to interact with officials, seek further information, and learn more about their role in combating human trafficking within their communities.

In a symbolic awareness activity, survivors of human trafficking held placards bearing key messages on human trafficking at the durbar grounds and along some principal streets in Ada. The activity attracted public attention to the dangers and devastating consequences of human trafficking and highlighted the collective responsibility of individuals and communities to protect vulnerable persons, particularly children, from exploitation and trafficking.

The NCCE and IJM urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspected cases of human trafficking, and actively participate in efforts to protect vulnerable persons, particularly children. The engagement concluded with a strong call for collective community action, emphasising that public awareness, community involvement, vigilance, and timely reporting are essential to preventing human trafficking and combating the practice effectively.