Accra, Ghana – International Justice Mission (IJM) is urgently calling for increased funding, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, and amplified media awareness campaigns to combat the escalating threat of human trafficking in Ghana and the wider West African sub-region. The organization highlighted the growing sophistication of trafficking networks, which are increasingly leveraging digital platforms and deceptive promises to ensnare vulnerable youth.
Rising Threat and Evolving Tactics
Speaking at the media launch for this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, also known as Blue Day, IJM West Africa Director, Anita Budu, detailed how traffickers are exploiting digital spaces. She described these networks as increasingly sophisticated, using social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to lure unsuspecting young people with false promises of lucrative opportunities.
The severity of the issue was underscored by a recent case involving 76 young Ghanaians trafficked to Nigeria in 2025. These individuals were promised opportunities in professional football but instead found themselves victims of exploitation. Upon arrival in Nigeria, their communication devices and travel documents were confiscated.
Victims were allegedly held in overcrowded conditions and coerced into demanding money from their families under duress. Disturbingly, some were also reportedly forced into engaging in cyber fraud activities, showcasing the multifaceted nature of modern trafficking operations.
Sports and Digital Platforms as New Frontiers for Trafficking
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