Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, the Minister of Inner-city and Zongo Development, has called on youth seeking employment abroad to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to exploitation of human traffickers.

He advised the youth to remain focused on their goals and not to be distracted by worldly pleasures adding that; “Life is not war; life is what you make it”.

Victims of human trafficking suffer inhumane treatment and prostitution in the Gulf Region, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar after they fall prey to their masters through false promises of greener pastures in those countries.

Alhaji Saddique Boniface gave the advice at the commemoration of this year’s United Nations Day against Human Trafficking, dubbed: “Blue Day,’’ in Accra, organised by Se Eye Woba Anka (SEWA) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to the eradication of human trafficking and modern day slavery.

The programme was organised in collaboration with Trinity Baptist Church and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The Day, which falls on July 30, annually, is intended to show compassion to victims of trafficking and also sensitize potential victims on the danger to prevent them from falling prey to traffickers.

It was attended by more than 200 students of second cycle institutions who were counselled on the dangers associated with supposed better opportunities and jobs abroad.

He cautioned the students to use the lessons taught in school by their teachers as a compass to build their capabilities and enhance and broaden their knowledge.

“Be careful of who you meet at what time and when, and the kind of communication that would go between you and that person, you need to be very careful.

“A lot of people have truncated because of this, whereas if you had stayed put, you would have been a president, minister or a medical doctor one day to save a whole nation,” he said.

Alhaji Bonniface said poverty had been the underlying cause of human trafficking and government was on course in its fight throughout the country.

He said the Ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Local Government among others to ensure that children were protected.

“One of the core areas of my ministry is social development which includes adult education, child education, regenerative health and other things to do which can be done jointly with the ministries to fight the menace”, he added.

He called on parents, chiefs and community leaders to dissuade their children from embarking on hazardous journeys in search of greener pastures.

Mr Jones Owusu Yeaboah, the National Coordinator of SEWA, said the foundation continued to lead campaigns to rescue victims both in Ghana and abroad and embark on public education to contribute to the reduction of the causes of child trafficking.

He said protection, prevention, prosecution and partnership were the four pillars to eradicate the canker.

A documentary of rescued victims sharing their experiences was aired to educate the audience on the menace.