More than 30 young women are feared trapped in remote camps in the Savannah Region, where they are allegedly being forced into prostitution after being trafficked from Nigeria under the pretext of securing jobs in Ghana.
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says it has arrested a suspected trafficking kingpin, identified as Prince James, also known as Prince Odugbu, in a late-night operation as efforts intensify to locate the women and dismantle the alleged cross-border network.
Savannah Regional Immigration Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Lawrence Agyei Agyapong, disclosed that the suspect allegedly operated a trafficking network spanning Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, exploiting vulnerable women through deception, fabricated debts and sexual exploitation.
Investigations indicate that victims were recruited in Nigeria, transported through Benin and Togo into Ghana via Aflao, and moved through Accra to remote locations in the Savannah Region.
One of the reported destinations is Kloth, a mining community in the Bole District, about 240 kilometres from Damongo, the regional capital. The area’s difficult terrain and limited road access are said to pose significant challenges to security operations.
Nurse lured with job offer forced into prostitution
The alleged trafficking operation came to light after a survivor, a trained nurse who believed she had secured a healthcare job in Ghana, discovered that the offer was a deception.
“When I reached Ghana, I realised it was not hospital work; it was prostitution work,” she recounted.
According to the account, victims were allegedly compelled to engage in prostitution to repay fabricated transportation debts, effectively trapping them in prolonged exploitation.
The women are exposed to sexual violence and psychological trauma, while their isolation in remote camps makes escape and access to assistance difficult.
The survivor reportedly escaped under cover of darkness and helped authorities track down the suspected ringleader, leading to his arrest.
GIS hunts for missing women and suspected accomplices
DCOI Agyapong said the suspect was being held at the GIS regional headquarters and assisting with investigations.
Authorities are working to identify other suspected members of the network, establish the full scale of the alleged trafficking operation and locate the more than 30 women feared to remain in the camps.
The case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of jobseekers to transnational trafficking networks that exploit promises of employment to lure victims into sexual exploitation.
The investigation will also need to establish the roles of suspected accomplices and secure evidence to support prosecution, while ensuring protection for survivors and witnesses.
The GIS has urged jobseekers to verify employment offers, particularly those involving travel and unexplained recruitment or transportation fees. The public has also been encouraged to report suspected human trafficking activities.
With dozens of women potentially still trapped, the immediate challenge for authorities is to locate the camps, rescue the alleged victims and bring those responsible to justice.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
