Ghana prosecuted 212 suspected human traffickers in 2025, up from 65 in 2024, according to the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the US Department of State.
Convictions also increased from 25 to 28 during the period, contributing to Ghana’s elevation to Tier 1, the highest ranking in the US assessment of countries’ efforts to eliminate human trafficking.
The report said the government fully met the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, citing increased prosecutions and convictions, improved identification of victims and stronger cooperation with foreign governments.
However, it identified continuing weaknesses in victim protection, access to justice and investigations into trafficking-related cybercrimes.
212 SUSPECTS PROSECUTED
According to the report, Ghana investigated 222 trafficking cases in 2025, comprising 83 sex trafficking cases, 132 involving forced labour and seven involving unspecified forms of trafficking.
Of the 212 alleged traffickers prosecuted, 31 faced charges relating to sex trafficking, 57 to labour trafficking and 124 to unspecified forms of trafficking.
Authorities secured 28 convictions, comprising 14 sex traffickers and 14 labour traffickers. The majority of those convicted received prison sentences of at least one year.
The figures compare with 273 investigations, 65 prosecutions and 25 convictions recorded in 2024.
Although investigations declined, prosecutions more than tripled, while convictions increased by three.
The government also continued 15 investigations and 14 prosecutions carried over from previous years.
In some cases, prosecutors relied on other laws where the evidence was insufficient to secure convictions under the Human Trafficking Act.
The Act, enacted in 2005 and amended in 2009, criminalises sex trafficking and labour trafficking and prescribes a minimum five-year prison sentence.
CRACKDOWN ON ONLINE SCAMS
The report highlighted Ghana’s increased efforts to tackle trafficking linked to online scam operations and fraudulent recruitment schemes.
Cooperation with INTERPOL and foreign governments on law enforcement operations, including those targeting online scams, led to the identification and repatriation of 756 foreign trafficking victims.
The government also signed a memorandum of understanding with e-commerce company QNET to facilitate the identification, arrest and dismantling of online scam operations linked to fraudulent recruitment and forced labour.
Authorities arrested and prosecuted individuals for cyber trafficking and online scams.
However, the report said law enforcement officials lacked specialised training and equipment to investigate trafficking-related cybercrimes.
The government announced plans to establish specialised courts to adjudicate trafficking cases involving cybercrimes.
The police, Ghana Immigration Service and Economic and Organised Crime Office maintained dedicated anti-trafficking units. Eighteen courts also had specialised training, procedures and trauma-informed facilities for cases involving women and children, including trafficking victims.
Nevertheless, high police turnover created knowledge gaps, while some courts lacked judges or prosecutors with specialised anti-trafficking training.
VICTIM PROTECTION IMPROVES
Ghana identified 2,331 trafficking victims in 2025, up from 794 in 2024. The victims included 492 people subjected to sex trafficking, 1,302 victims of labour trafficking and 537 victims of unspecified forms of trafficking.
Of the total, 862 were Ghanaian nationals and 1,469 were foreign nationals, including 896 Nigerians.
The government also identified and funded the voluntary repatriation of 567 Ghanaian trafficking victims exploited abroad.
Expenditure on direct victim services and assistance increased to GH¢3.452 million in 2025, from GH¢2.85 million in 2024.
Despite these improvements, the report said shelter capacity remained limited, particularly for adult victims, while trafficking victims in rural communities faced barriers to accessing the formal justice system.
ACCOUNTABILITY GAPS REMAIN
The report said Ghana’s improved ranking reflected progress in prosecution, victim assistance, funding and prevention, but cautioned that significant challenges persisted.
Notably, the government did not report any investigations, prosecutions or convictions of public officials allegedly complicit in trafficking offences.
Other concerns included the absence of a legal prohibition on worker-paid recruitment fees and continuing exploitation of children in fishing, agriculture, domestic service and mining.
Ghana’s Tier 1 ranking therefore recognises progress in meeting international minimum standards; it does not mean human trafficking has been eliminated.
Sustaining the gains will require stronger investigations, more convictions, improved victim protection and accountability for anyone implicated in trafficking offences.
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