Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sarah Aba-Afari, Divisional Crime Officer, Ashanti, has renewed calls for the public to provide authentic leads to help the police track down perpetrators of human trafficking in the society.

“Human Trafficking as a modern-day slavery is on the high side and does not only demean human dignity but also puts its victims into long-lasting trauma with little hope of recovery,” she said.

DSP Aba-Afari, who was speaking at a two-day workshop on the prevention of human trafficking held in Kumasi, said all must be done to stem this de-humanising trade and its attendant debilitating impact on its victims.

The workshop organised by Operation Mobilisation (OM), Ghana, a Christian mission organisation, brought together ministers of God and other church members from Ghana, Norway, South Africa Nigeria, and Papua New Guinea,

The participants deliberated on topics including: “Understanding of Human Trafficking, “The Law of Human Trafficking, “The Police and Prevention”, “Children and at Risk of Trafficking”, “Counselling Victims of Trafficking and “Traffic Proof”.

DSP Aba-Afari speaking on “Prevention of Trafficking-Challenges, said it is important for the church and other stakeholders to provide the police with valid leads, shelters and other clues to track down perpetrators.

She said poverty, poor educational standards, lack of education, the growing demand for cheap labour and the expanding globalised sex trade could be considered as among the push factors for human trafficking.

Mr Christian Ayesu Insaidoo, Director of OM, said children who become victims face physical, sexual and other abuses which have devastating consequences.

He called on churches to perform their social, moral and spiritual responsibility towards humankind.