The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has successfully prosecuted and secured a seven-year jail term for Ada Peace, a Nigerian national, convicted of human trafficking and immigration offenses. The sentence was handed down by an Accra Circuit Court on June 4, 2026, following an operation that liberated two young women, aged 21 and 13, from exploitation.
Victims Lured by False Promises
Chief Superintendent of Immigration, John Bernard Otoo, detailed the case, explaining that the victims were recruited from Nigeria under the guise of legitimate employment opportunities in Ghana. They were promised positions as shop attendants, a lure that proved to be a deceptive trap.
Upon arrival in Ghana, the victims were allegedly forced into prostitution, with the convict, Ada Peace, reportedly collecting all proceeds from their exploitation. Investigations by the GIS Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section confirmed that the recruitment process involved accomplices in Nigeria.
The victims were transported to Ghana and met by Ada Peace at a brothel located in Adaase, near Asankragwa. Once in captivity, they were subjected to spiritual intimidation and coercion to engage in commercial sex work. This exploitation was framed as a means to repay alleged debts amounting to six million Nigerian Naira.
Illegal Entry and Prosecution
Further investigation revealed that Ada Peace, along with an accomplice named Rejoice Opara, entered Ghana through unapproved border routes in July 2024. Both individuals remained in the country without valid immigration permits.
Ada Peace faced four charges, including human trafficking and illegal entry into Ghana. Her accomplice, Rejoice Opara, received a fine and was subsequently discharged by the court. The conviction of Ada Peace highlights the GIS’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in transnational crimes.
Immigration Service Issues Warning
Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, strongly condemned the acts of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and illegal migration. He issued a stern warning to individuals engaged in such illicit activities, stating that they would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
Amadu emphasized that Ghana’s security agencies would not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals or any violations of the nation’s immigration laws. The GIS is intensifying efforts to combat these crimes that exploit and endanger lives.
The GIS also issued a public advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant. Traffickers are increasingly leveraging social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, alongside fraudulent job offers and travel schemes, to ensnare unsuspecting victims. This tactic underscores the evolving methods used by criminal networks.
This conviction is a significant outcome of the GIS’s sustained campaign against human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and other related transnational criminal activities within Ghana. The service continues to prioritize operations aimed at dismantling trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable populations.
Looking ahead, the GIS plans to enhance cross-border surveillance and intelligence sharing with neighboring countries to disrupt trafficking routes more effectively. The public is encouraged to report suspicious activities through designated hotlines, as community vigilance remains a crucial element in combating these pervasive crimes.
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