Faith-based Groups, Immigration Service Intensify Fight In Volta Border Communities

In the quiet border communities of the Volta Region, where poverty and vulnerability often collide, faith-based groups and state institutions are joining forces to shield children and young girls from the dangers of human trafficking, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.

The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), in partnership with the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer Sisters Foundation (HDRSF) and the Ghana Immigration Service’s Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit, has rolled out an intensive education and awareness campaign aimed at curbing these social ills.

The initiative, launched under the theme “Amewuga,” an Ewe phrase meaning “Human life is more valuable than money,” seeks to remind border residents that no financial gain is worth the destruction of a child’s future.

Faith-based groups, Immigration Service intensify fight in Volta border communities

Through school visits, community durbars, storytelling, drama and poetry performances, and the distribution of educational materials, the campaign is equipping families with the knowledge to recognize and resist exploitation.

Rev. Sister Regina Ignatia Aflah, Executive Director of HDRSF, told journalists that the disturbing rise in teenage pregnancy and child marriage in border communities has left many young girls trapped in cycles of poverty and abuse.

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“Child trafficking, teenage pregnancy, and child marriage are destroying the lives of our children. This campaign is to remind parents and communities that the future of these children is priceless, and we must all protect it,” she emphasised.

Adding her voice, the National Coordinator of AFJN Ghana, Rev. Sister Ignatia Safowaa Buaben, appealed to parents not to prioritize short-term financial relief over their children’s long-term development.

“Parents must be willing to sacrifice and invest in the education and well-being of their children. If we nurture them well, they will grow into responsible adults who can support their families and contribute meaningfully to society,” she urged.

The Ghana Immigration Service also underscored its commitment to the campaign. The Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit at Aflao, DSI Justice Kudzo Normeshie, noted that collaborative efforts with civil society and faith-based organizations are vital in reaching vulnerable populations.

“We are encouraged by this partnership, and we will continue to expand these sensitization programs to cover more border communities. Education is key in preventing trafficking and exploitation before they happen,” he assured.

For many residents of Nyive and other border towns, this campaign offers more than just education—it offers hope. In communities where young girls are often seen as economic assets rather than individuals with dreams and potential, “Amewuga” is a rallying call to protect their dignity and their future.