The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s activities on social media, warning that traffickers are increasingly using technology to lure unsuspecting children and families.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s Nyansapo Fie programme, hosted by Akosua Gyamfua, an NCCE representative, Mr. Fidel Nii Akuffo Bortey, said traffickers often use social media platforms to build relationships with potential victims before making attractive offers.
He explained that these offers could include employment opportunities, scholarships, friendships and overseas travel, which may appear genuine but are sometimes carefully designed to gain the trust of children and their parents.
Mr. Bortey advised parents and children to exercise caution when dealing with people they meet online, particularly when presented with opportunities that appear too good to be true.
He noted that children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds could be particularly vulnerable to trafficking, especially those who are eager to achieve financial success quickly and support their families.
According to him, the flashy lifestyles portrayed on social media can also create pressure among young people, making some children desperate to acquire wealth and live like their peers.
He further identified inadequate parental supervision of children’s online activities as another factor that could expose them to traffickers.
Mr. Bortey stressed that child trafficking is a criminal offence in Ghana and is prohibited under the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), with offenders liable to serious legal consequences, including imprisonment.
He said depending on the nature of the offence and the applicable law, trafficking-related offences could attract prison terms ranging from five to 25 years.
The NCCE representative therefore called on parents to take an active role in protecting their children by monitoring their online activities, listening to their concerns and building open and trusting relationships with them.
He also encouraged the public to promptly report suspected cases of child trafficking to the appropriate authorities, including the Ghana Police Service, NCCE, CHRAJ, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and relevant cyber-security authorities.
He stressed that early reporting and greater public awareness are essential to preventing traffickers from exploiting children through technology and social media.
By: Anita Arthur
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