Ghana has been upgraded to Tier 1 in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report after meeting the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking in persons. Authorities recorded a sharp increase in prosecutions, convictions and the identification of victims during the reporting period.
The report highlighted that in 2025 the government investigated 222 trafficking cases, prosecuted 212 alleged traffickers and secured 28 convictions, split evenly between sex and labour trafficking. In 2024, 273 cases were investigated, 65 alleged traffickers were prosecuted and 25 convictions were obtained.
Victim identification also saw a significant jump, with 2,331 trafficking victims identified in 2025 compared with 794 in 2024. Ghanaian nationals accounted for 862 of those identified, while 1,469 were foreign nationals, the largest group being Nigerians at 896.
The government also identified 567 Ghanaian victims exploited abroad and funded their voluntary repatriation. A total of 2,837 migrants returning from overseas were screened for trafficking signs and referred for assistance.
Progress is attributed to increased funding—GH¢3.452 million was allocated for direct victim services in 2025, up from GH¢2.85 million in 2024—and for prevention activities, along with training for frontline officials and cooperation with international partners. Ghana collaborated with INTERPOL and foreign governments on law‑enforcement operations that led to the identification and repatriation of 756 foreign trafficking victims to their home countries.
In a new partnership, Ghana signed a memorandum of understanding with e‑commerce company QNET to dismantle online scam operations linked to fraudulent recruitment and forced labour. Despite these gains, the report notes persistent weaknesses in victim protection, recruitment regulation and cyber‑enabled trafficking investigations. Shelter capacity remains limited, especially for adult male victims, and a female shelter was inoperable during the period.
Legal gaps also persist; Ghanaian law does not prohibit workers from paying recruitment fees, leaving migrant workers vulnerable. The government discouraged licensed recruitment agencies from charging such fees but has not held recruiters liable for fraudulent recruitment. Officials lack specialised training and equipment to investigate cyber‑related trafficking, and high police staff turnover creates gaps in investigative capacity.
Trafficking remains prevalent in fishing, domestic work, agriculture, mining and online fraud, with children especially vulnerable to forced labour in fishing communities around Lake Volta and in the cocoa sector. Traffickers also exploit Ghanaian nationals abroad through fraudulent recruitment schemes promising well‑paid jobs in security and agriculture.
Looking ahead, Ghana will need to strengthen shelter services, enforce recruitment fee regulations and build cyber‑crime investigative capacity to sustain its Tier 1 status and protect vulnerable populations.
