Human trafficking is increasingly moving online, with perpetrators abandoning traditional recruitment methods in favour of sophisticated cyber-enabled schemes.
Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, says traffickers are now exploiting online investment schemes, digital recruitment platforms, romance scams and transnational marketing networks to recruit and exploit victims.
Speaking at the World Day Against Trafficking event, organised in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, COP Donkor explained that fake job offers, scholarships, entertainment careers, domestic work opportunities and travel packages are increasingly being used as bait to lure victims into sexual exploitation, forced labour and servitude.
“Trafficking is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Traffickers use social media, smartphones and encrypted platforms to identify, recruit and exploit victims across borders,” she said.
She noted that the CID is strengthening its response by combining traditional policing methods with digital intelligence and international cooperation.
“The CID continues to investigate cases where victims were promised employment in Europe, the Middle East or Asia but were instead trafficked to other destinations and subjected to exploitation. This changing trend requires a changing law enforcement response. The future of anti-trafficking enforcement must combine traditional policing with digital intelligence and international information-sharing,” she added.
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating human trafficking and bringing perpetrators to justice.
She said growing public awareness of trafficking tactics is helping authorities identify and respond to cases more effectively.
“Human trafficking is on the rise because perpetrators have found various ways of advancing their operations. Gradually, people are beginning to question some of these activities and report suspicious individuals to the appropriate authorities,” she said.
Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration, Faisal Disu, revealed that between January and July 2026, the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit rescued more than 400 victims and arrested 29 suspects.
According to him, recent operations conducted on July 26 and 27 led to the rescue of 172 victims, 79 males and 93 females and the arrest of 17 additional suspects.
“Between January and July 2026, the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit rescued over 400 victims and arrested 29 suspects. In recent operations, 79 male victims were rescued on July 26, followed by 93 female victims and the arrest of 17 additional suspects on July 27.
To date, 10 perpetrators have been convicted, two have paid court-issued fines, and eight are currently serving custodial sentences of seven to eight years,” he stated.
Marking this year’s World Day Against Trafficking, officials called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, warning that traffickers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods of operation.
By Beatrice Sowah
