Ghana reached Tier 1 in the United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report on October 8, 2026, driven by higher prosecution counts and increased victim identification numbers.
The United States Department of State published its annual assessment on October 8, 2026, officially moving Ghana from Tier 2 to Tier 1, which indicates that the country fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking. The milestone makes Ghana the sole African nation among the 35 governments classified in the top tier for meeting minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking. Thousands of individuals remain vulnerable to exploitation across the country.
Ghana Prosecutes More Traffickers in 2025
Government authorities investigated 222 trafficking cases during 2025, prosecuting 212 alleged traffickers and securing 28 convictions. By comparison, authorities investigated 273 cases in 2024, prosecuting 65 suspects and obtaining 25 convictions.
Victim identification numbers increased during the same timeframe. Of the total identified in 2025, 862 were Ghanaian nationals and 1,469 were foreign nationals.
Authorities Protect Foreign Victims from Nigeria and Neighboring States
Nigerian citizens accounted for the largest group of foreign victims identified by authorities, with 896 individuals recorded. Other foreign victims originated from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Togo, Senegal, Niger, and Benin.
Traffickers frequently recruited Nigerian women and girls with false employment promises, later forcing some into commercial sex to repay inflated transportation and accommodation debts. In addition to protecting foreign victims domestically, the government identified 567 Ghanaian trafficking victims abroad, funded their voluntary repatriation, and screened 2,837 returning migrants for signs of trafficking.
Ghana Increases Anti-Trafficking Funding in 2025
To support direct survivor services and assistance in 2025, Ghana set aside GH¢3.452 million—an increase from the GH¢2.85 million provided in 2024—along with an extra GH¢2.203 million directed toward prevention efforts.
International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana praised the government and stakeholders for achieving Tier 1 status. Dr Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana’s Gender Minister, announced the ranking during a Human Trafficking Management Board meeting in Accra, noting that the status enables the country to lobby effectively for international anti-trafficking funding.
“Ghana’s elevation to Tier 1 status is a significant national achievement that reflects the power of coordinated action and collective commitment.”
IJM Ghana
Public education, advocacy, and victim care efforts also received contributions from development partners, traditional authorities, religious groups, civil society organisations, the media, the National Commission for Civic Education, and Parliament.
 "Photo: Pulse Ghana")
Shelters Face Capacity Limits and Online Recruitment Risks
Shelter capacity remains constrained, particularly for adult male survivors, while a dedicated facility for adult female victims was inoperable during the reporting period. Law enforcement officers occasionally relied on personal funds to provide temporary victim assistance due to resource shortfalls.
Law enforcement agencies also face technical hurdles regarding cyber-enabled trafficking. Traffickers increasingly utilize digital platforms, fraudulent job listings, and online scams for recruitment, particularly in connection with fraudulent migration schemes.
- Child labour and trafficking remain prevalent in domestic work, agriculture, mining, and fishing sectors, notably around Lake Volta, while children from Ghana remain vulnerable.
- Ghanaian law does not explicitly prohibit licensed recruitment agencies from charging workers recruitment fees, leaving migrant workers exposed to debt bondage.
“At the same time, we recognise 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 Ghana