The U.S. Embassy in Accra, along with the U.S. government's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, has allocated $5 million to two organizations for initiatives under the U.S.-Ghana Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership. The International Organization on Migration (IOM) and Free the Slaves (FTS), both active in Ghana, will use these funds to tackle child sex trafficking and forced child labor.
This partnership marks a collaborative effort between the United States and Ghana to protect children from exploitation. Signed on June 23, 2015, by Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Nana Oye Lithur and former U.S. Ambassador Gene Cretz, the agreement involves multiple Ghanaian ministries committed to improving child protection measures.
IOM's role includes working with the Ghanaian government to enhance coordination and establish victim identification protocols. Their efforts will also focus on training social service workers, police, judges, and prosecutors while supporting law enforcement through logistical assistance. IOM's funding amounts to $2.54 million over four years.
FTS will collaborate with International Needs Ghana (INGH) to train community leaders in recognizing and addressing child trafficking issues. The organization aims to raise public awareness, provide alternative livelihoods for families of reintegrated children, organize national symposia with Right to Be Free, and offer sub-grants for aftercare services. FTS will receive $2.46 million in funding alongside additional contributions totaling $53,044.
The CPC Partnership focuses on three regions: Volta, Central, and Greater Accra. These areas have been identified as significant sites where children face risks of forced labor in various sectors such as fishing and agriculture or are subjected to sex trafficking.
U.S. Ambassador at Large Susan Coppedge stated that "This Partnership represents the inaugural opportunity for the United States to work cooperatively with the Ghanaian ministries responsible for child protection and law enforcement."
More information about involved organizations can be found on their respective websites: Free the Slaves at www.freetheslaves.net/ghana and International Organization on Migration at www.iom.int/supporting-vulnerable-children-ghana.