Godson Glawu, a survivor of child trafficking
A survivor of child trafficking, Godson Glawu, has called on the Government and stakeholders to significantly increase investment in Ghana’s child protection systems, describing sustainable funding as the key to rescuing vulnerable children and rebuilding lives.
Addressing the 2026 National Justice Conference in Accra, Mr. Glawu recounted how he was trafficked to Lake Volta at the age of seven, where he endured a decade of forced labour, physical abuse and near-suicidal despair before being rescued through a police operation supported by the International Justice Mission (IJM) in 2015.
Now an electrician, entrepreneur and leader of the Ghana Survivor Network’s Keta Chapter, he said his transformation was made possible through sustained investment in child protection. He urged Government to increase funding for law enforcement, social welfare, survivor-led initiatives and preventive interventions, stressing that “hope alone is not enough.”
Funding Critical
Speaking at the conference, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described sustainable financing as indispensable to protecting children from labour exploitation. She said investment in child protection should be viewed as an investment in Ghana’s human capital, economic productivity and long-term development.
Partnerships Deliver Results
Welcoming participants, IJM Ghana highlighted progress made since the 2025 conference, including improved child protection data systems, strengthened partnerships with the National Commission for Civic Education and the Ghana Journalists Association, and enhanced coordination among state institutions. The organisation stressed that sustainable funding and institutional collaboration remain essential to protecting vulnerable children.
Regional President for Africa and Europe at IJM, Andy Griffiths, commended Ghana’s efforts in strengthening its justice system, citing increased arrests and prosecutions of traffickers. He urged Government to fully resource existing child protection mechanisms, particularly the Human Trafficking Fund, arguing that well-funded justice systems improve survivor support, strengthen prosecutions and significantly reduce trafficking.
The conference was held under the theme “Sustainable Funding for Child Protection Against Labour Exploitation”. It brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, including ICEDEG Africa, survivor advocates, and justice sector institutions to explore long-term financing strategies for child protection.
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