Anita Budu, Director of the West Africa Programme of IJM,
The International Justice Mission (IJM) has called for stronger collective action to protect vulnerable children and other victims of trafficking, urging Ghanaians to use their influence in their communities and on digital platforms to speak out against injustice.
Madam Anita Budu, Director of the West Africa Programme of IJM, made the call when she addressed the congregation of Impact City Church during a Freedom Sunday programme held at the church.
She said although Ghana had made progress in the fight against trafficking and other forms of violence, many children remained vulnerable to exploitation and hazardous forms of labour, including fishing, farming, mining and other activities.
“Trafficking is happening here,” she said, urging the public not to assume that trafficking was a problem that occurred only in other countries or communities.
IJM works
According to Ms Budu, IJM works globally to protect people living in poverty from violence, trafficking, slavery and abuse, while partnering with governments, justice institutions, communities and churches to strengthen systems that protect vulnerable people.
She said in Ghana, the organisation worked with government agencies, law enforcement agencies, community leaders and faith communities to combat child trafficking and other forms of violence against children.
Ms Budu said the organisation’s work went beyond rescuing children from exploitation, stressing that efforts were also focused on strengthening systems that could prevent trafficking from occurring in the first place.
She mentioned that IJM’s partnerships with the Police, Judiciary, Parliament, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Department of Social Welfare and other government institutions, as well as community leaders, churches and the media, had contributed to increased awareness and improved responses to trafficking.
Role of church
She identified the Church as one of IJM’s important partners in its efforts to promote justice and protect vulnerable people.
Speaking on the significance of Freedom Sunday, Ms Budu said justice was not a modern concept but one rooted in the Christian faith.
She said throughout Scripture, God consistently demonstrated concern for vulnerable people, including the oppressed, widows, orphans and strangers.
According to her, Freedom Sunday was intended to remind Christians that worship and justice were inseparable and that faith communities had a responsibility to stand against exploitation and abuse.
She said IJM, together with its partners, had dedicated the third Sunday in September globally to the observance of Freedom Sunday.
The observance
Ms Budu disclosed that about 80 churches across Ghana were participating in this year’s observance, describing the growing participation as an indication of increasing interest in justice and child protection.
She said the Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Fellowship had dedicated the month of September to discussions on justice and child protection, while the Young People’s Guild had earlier dedicated a Sunday to discussions on child trafficking.
She further highlighted the participation of other faith communities, saying some Muslim communities were observing a “Freedom Friday” programme in about 20 mosques, while some branches of the Seventh-day Adventist Church were participating in “Freedom Saturday”.
Ms Budu said the growing involvement of churches and other faith communities demonstrated the potential for a broader movement against trafficking and injustice.
Practical steps
She urged members of the congregation to take three practical steps after the programme: pray intentionally for vulnerable children and families, support child protection efforts in their communities, and become advocates for justice.
She encouraged individuals to use their workplaces, communities and digital platforms to speak against injustice and support efforts to protect vulnerable people.
Ms Budu also called for prayers for trafficked persons and others suffering injustice, asking that they receive freedom, healing, protection and justice.
She appealed for prayers for IJM staff for strength, wisdom and courage; for government partners to receive wisdom, integrity and resources; and for survivors to receive healing, restoration, dignity and the courage to rebuild their lives.
God’s heart for justice
She also called for prayers for donors who support justice initiatives and for the Church to embrace what she described as God’s heart for justice and become a stronger voice and force for freedom in society.
Meanwhile, the Lead Pastor of Impact City Church, Apostle Dr Josiah Aubin Jr., led the congregation in prayers for justice, vulnerable people, survivors of trafficking, government institutions, IJM staff and other stakeholders involved in the fight against injustice.
The Freedom Sunday programme formed part of IJM’s broader efforts to mobilise faith communities and other stakeholders around justice, freedom and the protection of vulnerable people.
Ms Budu expressed appreciation to Impact City Church for partnering with IJM and hosting the Freedom Sunday programme, saying the Church’s involvement could help strengthen efforts to promote justice and child protection in Gh
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