Ghana is witnessing a worrying surge in kidnappings and human trafficking, threatening both national security and the country’s hard-earned reputation as a beacon of peace and stability in West Africa. If urgent and decisive action is not taken, the nation risks becoming a haven for transnational criminal networks.
Since January, The Chronicle has reported multiple kidnapping incidents occurring almost weekly across the country. About two months ago, two Nigerian nationals appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a foiled cross-border kidnapping plot believed to have been masterminded by former members of a Niger Delta militant group.
In another case, a 55-year-old Cameroonian, Cesar Victoire Tsala, was charged with kidnapping and sexually exploiting a minor, which is a violation of Ghana’s Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
More recently, six Nigerian nationals were remanded by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for their alleged involvement in human trafficking, kidnapping, and fraud. In the Bono Region, police rescued a 30-year-old woman from captivity in Berekum, while in the Western Region, a suspected trafficking syndicate was intercepted and a 15-year-old Nigerian girl rescued. A medical examination revealed that the victim was five weeks pregnant.
Over the weekend, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) uncovered one of the largest human trafficking and employment scam networks in Ghana’s history. A major operation in Kumasi led to the arrest of 320 people. EOCO said its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit conducted simultaneous raids after months of investigation. Twenty-five suspects are believed to be the masterminds, while the remaining 295 are thought to be victims of human trafficking and employment scams run under the guise of a company called “ONET.”
These reported cases likely represent only a fraction of the reality. Many kidnappings go unreported as families secretly negotiate with abductors to secure the release of their loved ones. Fear of retaliation, mistrust of the system and concern for victims’ safety often drive these decisions ultimately fuelling the profitability of these criminal enterprises.
Equally troubling are reports alleging that some commercial taxi operators and ride-hailing services are complicit in these abductions. Victims have recounted cases of being lured or trapped by drivers working in collaboration with criminal syndicates. These developments call for strict background checks, digital verification systems and closer collaboration between transport regulators, the Ghana Police Service and ride-hailing companies to ensure passenger safety.
The implications for national security are grave. Beyond the trauma inflicted on victims, these crimes erode public confidence in law enforcement, weaken border control and expose Ghana to infiltration by organised crime networks. The surge in human trafficking, particularly for sexual and labour exploitation, also undermines Ghana’s commitments under international conventions and risks damaging its standing among global partners.
The Chronicle emphasises that this is not a call for xenophobia. Crime has no nationality. While some foreign nationals have been implicated, Ghanaians are also involved in these networks. The real issue is the erosion of Ghana’s image as a peaceful, safe, and business-friendly nation.
With the December festive season approaching a time when thousands of tourists visit for vacations and cultural festivals, the current security climate could discourage travel and investment. As we know, security is the foundation of economic growth.
The government and security agencies must, therefore, treat this as a national emergency. The “See Something, Say Something” campaign should go beyond slogans and be reinforced through active community engagement, public education, and swift police response. Intelligence gathering must be intensified, particularly in border towns, transport hubs, and online recruitment platforms exploited by traffickers.
Furthermore, Ghana’s recent visa-free initiative for African nationals though laudable must be accompanied by robust monitoring and inter-agency coordination to prevent abuse by criminal syndicates.
Silence is not an option. Kidnapping and human trafficking are not merely crimes against individuals; they are crimes against the nation’s integrity. The safety of our citizens, the dignity of our country, and the preservation of Ghana’s global image depend on how swiftly and effectively this menace is confronted.
A stitch in time saves nine.
