Deputy Minister visits alleged trafficked children

Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - Madam Hawawu Boya Gariba, Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, has reiterated the responsibility of parents to ensure the welfare and protection of their children and prevention from any forms of abuse or exploitation.

She advised parents and guardians against sending their young children and wards to areas within the country and across neighbouring borders to engage in menial jobs.

"Any parent or guardian found engaged in child trafficking would face the full rigours of the law," she said.

Madam Boya Gariba said this when she visited children who were intercepted by police on the Accra/Aflao road on August 01 being trafficked.

The about 248 children were on board three buses en-route to Yeji during the time of interception and are in police custody pending further investigations.

Mad Gariba assured the suspected victims that the Police would safeguard their welfare and best interest and appealed to them to cooperate with the authorities to ensure a quick and lasting solution to the problem.

She said as children their main pre-occupation should be on their studies to enable them become responsible adults.

Madam Boya Gariba said anyone found engaged in such acts would be arrested and prosecuted under the Human Trafficking Act.