Ghana's Office of the Presidency recently hosted a significant event where the first Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership was signed. The agreement was formalized by Ghana's Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Gene Cretz. This partnership will facilitate an investment of up to $5 million in U.S. foreign assistance aimed at reducing child trafficking and improving child protection in Ghana.
The CPC Partnership is a multi-year plan developed jointly by the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and its Ghanaian partners. It aims to enhance current efforts by the Government of Ghana and local civil society organizations to combat child sex trafficking and forced child labor within the country.
Economic hardships in Ghana often lead children into forced labor across various sectors such as fishing, domestic service, street hawking, begging, pottering, quarrying, artisanal gold mining, and agriculture. Additionally, both girls and boys are subjected to sex trafficking within regions like Central, Volta, and Greater Accra.
The partnership intends to improve coordination between government bodies and civil society groups involved in anti-trafficking initiatives. It also seeks to strengthen Ghana’s ability to prosecute traffickers while protecting victims through comprehensive care services. Public awareness campaigns are also part of this initiative.
President Mahama's commitment is evident through his ministers' involvement: Nana Oye Lithur; Attorney General Marrieta Brew Appiah Oppong; Minister of Interior Mark Owen Woyongo; and Minister for Employment Haruna Iddrisu.
Ambassador Cretz expressed satisfaction with the collaboration: “The United States is pleased to partner with these ministries that share responsibility for addressing child trafficking in Ghana.”