The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has secured the conviction of a Nigerian national for human trafficking and immigration-related offences after rescuing two victims who were allegedly lured to Ghana under false promises of employment and forced into prostitution.
Ada Peace, a trader, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court following investigations by the GIS Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section.
According to the GIS, the conviction followed an intelligence-led operation by its Asankragwa Sector Command, which rescued two victims aged 21 and 13 from exploitation.
Presenting the case before the court, Chief Superintendent of Immigration John Bernard Otoo said the victims were recruited in Nigeria with promises of jobs as shop attendants in Ghana. However, upon arrival, they were allegedly forced into commercial sex work while the convict appropriated the proceeds.
Investigations established that the victims were recruited through accomplices in Nigeria, transported into Ghana, and received by Ada Peace at a brothel in Adaase near Asankragwa.
The GIS said the victims were subjected to spiritual intimidation and coerced into prostitution to repay debts amounting to six million Nigerian Naira.
Prosecutors further revealed that Ada Peace and an accomplice, Rejoice Opara, entered Ghana through unapproved border routes in July 2024 and had remained in the country without the necessary immigration permits.
While Ada Peace faced four charges, including human trafficking and illegal entry, Opara was fined and discharged by the court.
Commenting on the case, Comptroller-General of Immigration, Samuel Basintale Amadu, condemned human trafficking, sexual exploitation and illegal migration, warning that offenders would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
He stressed that state security agencies would not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable persons or breaches of Ghana’s immigration laws.
The GIS also urged the public to remain vigilant, cautioning that traffickers increasingly use deceptive recruitment tactics, including social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, false promises of employment or travel opportunities, and demands for upfront payments by self-styled travel agents.
