The Tier 1 ranking signifies that Ghana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons, IJM noted. It said the achievement reflects years of coordinated action, strategic investments, strengthened institutional collaboration and the unwavering commitment of government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, the media and citizens across the country.

IJM specifically commended the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, particularly the Human Trafficking Secretariat, for its leadership in coordinating national anti-trafficking efforts and implementing Ghana’s National Action Plan. It also praised the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice for strengthening prosecutions and securing increased convictions of traffickers.

The organization further commended the Ghana Police Service, including specialized anti-trafficking and marine units working to combat child trafficking and exploitation, particularly on Lake Volta. It also recognized the Ghana Immigration Service and the Economic and Organised Crime Office for their contributions to investigations, victim identification and efforts to tackle emerging forms of trafficking, including cyber-enabled exploitation, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment Relations for strengthening labor migration safeguards and worker protections.

IJM also commended members of Parliament, especially the Select Committees on Human Rights and Gender, for championing laws, oversight and policies that protect vulnerable populations. It praised the National Commission for Civic Education, media organizations, civil society actors, faith groups, traditional leaders and development partners for awareness creation, advocacy and community engagement, adding that NGOs were indispensable partners in providing survivor care, operating shelters, supporting investigations and training frontline officials. It said the people of Ghana were most important, citing their vigilance, reporting of suspected trafficking and support for vulnerable children and families.

The upgrade was driven by measurable progress, IJM said. During the reporting period, Ghana prosecuted 212 alleged traffickers and secured 28 convictions, while identifying 2,331 trafficking victims and referring all identified victims to appropriate services. The government also increased funding for victim assistance and anti-trafficking initiatives, expanded frontline training, strengthened international cooperation and enhanced efforts to combat online scam operations linked to trafficking and forced labor.

While celebrating the milestone, IJM warned that the fight against human trafficking is far from over. The TIP Report notes that children in Ghana continue to face exploitation in forced labor, especially in inland and coastal fishing, domestic work, street hawking, agriculture, artisanal mining, quarrying and herding, with child trafficking on Lake Volta remaining a significant concern. It also highlighted traffickers’ increasing use of technology, fraudulent job offers, cybercrime schemes, online scams and deceptive migration opportunities. IJM added that shelter capacity, particularly for adult survivors, remains limited, and called for more investment in rural anti-trafficking responses, specialized training on cyber-enabled trafficking and improved survivor services.

Reacting to the development, IJM’s Director for the West Africa Programme, Anita Budu, said: “Ghana’s elevation to Tier 1 status is a significant national achievement that reflects the power of coordinated action and collective commitment. We commend the Government of Ghana and all stakeholders whose dedication has contributed to this milestone. At the same time, we recognize that thousands of children and vulnerable adults remain at risk of trafficking and exploitation. This achievement should inspire us to work even harder to ensure every child is safe, every survivor is protected, and every trafficker is held accountable.” IJM encouraged stakeholders not to view Tier 1 as the end of efforts, but as a platform for deeper action and greater impact.