A total of eight teenage girls offered by their Ghanaian parents as domestic servants to some people in neighbouring countries, especially Togo, have so far escaped back home through the Aflao border this year.

The victims, who are mainly from Aflao and other towns in the Ketu District and aged between 10 and 15 years, are believed to have been either flogged, overworked and underfed or undergone other forms of maltreatment.

The paramount chief of Aflao, Togbe Amenya Fiti V, told the Ghana News Agency that instead of reporting to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the escapees rather contact common carriers (kayayee) who then direct them to his palace.

He said some of the girls left their homes at the age of four or five and, therefore, find it difficult retracing their hometowns. He said, however, that he is assisting them get back to their parents.

Togbe Fiti appealed to the police to arrest and prosecute parents who offer their children as domestic servants across the borders.

When contacted, Mrs Elizabeth Baffoe, Head of the GIS at Aflao, denied any knowledge about the matter but said it could be possible.

She noted that the homogeneous nature of Aflao makes it difficult to identify and prevent people with bad motives from sending children across the border.

Mrs Baffoe, however, suggested the formation of non-governmental organisations in the district to assist families to improve their economic positions and reduce poverty, which is a major cause of the problem.