IJM Ghana urges increased funding for child protection services

International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana has called on the government and stakeholders to increase financial investment in child protection and survivor support services. This appeal follows Ghana's recent upgrade to Tier 1 status in the 2026 US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. While the ranking reflects significant progress in the country's fight against human trafficking, IJM Ghana emphasizes that sustained funding is critical to address remaining gaps in the protection system.

In the past year, Ghana recorded the prosecution of 212 alleged traffickers and identified more than 2,300 trafficking victims. IJM Ghana’s Director, Anita Budu, acknowledged these collaborative achievements between the government and various organizations but warned that serious challenges remain. Specifically, the organization highlighted the persistent threat of child exploitation on Lake Volta and the prevalence of forced labor across several other sectors. Despite the improved international ranking, the current infrastructure for victim recovery is insufficient to meet the demand.

Anita Budu stressed the necessity of bolstering frontline institutions that handle rescue and rehabilitation operations. She noted that limited shelter capacity remains a significant bottleneck in providing comprehensive care for rescued victims. The organization argued that without a corresponding increase in financial support, the gains made in legislative enforcement and identification of victims could be undermined by a lack of adequate aftercare and protective services for those most vulnerable to exploitation.

While IJM Ghana praised the efforts that led to the Tier 1 status—indicating that a country fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking—the group warned against complacency. They urged the state to prioritize the allocation of resources to ensure that the justice system and social services can effectively prevent re-trafficking and provide long-term stability for survivors of human rights abuses.