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9 Trafficked children rescued in Yeji

The Ghana Police Service, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare, has led a trafficking rescue operation in Yeji, Pru East District of the Bono East Region.

Date Created : 6/30/2022 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Ghanadistricts.com

With support from the International Justice Mission-Ghana (IJM), the operation led to the rescue and bringing to safety nine suspected victims of trafficking.

According to the IJM, four adult men and five boys were rescued, with two of the four adult victims being enslaved for 20 years.

It also said they were estimated to have been brought to work on the lake at between the ages of three and five.

“The youngest victim arrived less than a year ago and is currently five years old,” the statement added. The suspected trafficker recruited young children to work for him in fishing on the Volta Lake, where he controlled every aspect of their lives.

“The children were not allowed to play or associate with any people outside of the suspect’s family and would be punished violently if they did,” it said.

The statement added that anyone outside of the suspect’s family who tried to interact with the children would also be subject to violence.

According to the statement, “if the children began to develop relationships with neighbours, they would be sent to more remote islands to ensure their isolation.

The only movement the children were allowed was between the suspect’s house and his boat, and they were responsible both for housework and fishing on the lake.”

Meanwhile, the suspect’s own children were free to move about and attend school.