The Government of Ghana is intensifying efforts to rescue hundreds of its citizens who have fallen victim to an elaborate human trafficking and visa scam orchestrated by agents of the QNET Group across several West African countries.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, more than 700 Ghanaians—most of them young adults—are currently stranded or held in isolated compounds in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. These individuals were deceived with false promises of travel opportunities to Europe, North America, and Asia, and paid huge sums ranging from GH¢18,000 to GH¢40,000 for supposed visa processing.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament in response to an urgent question by MP for Pru East, Mr Kwaku Buah, the Minister described the situation as “a growing humanitarian and national security concern.”
QNET’s Deceptive Operation
The fraudulent operation, linked to the QNET Group, poses as a travel facilitator, luring desperate job seekers with offers to help them reach destinations such as France, Canada, Belgium, and Qatar. Victims are first trafficked to neighbouring countries under the pretense of using them as transit points.
Once across the border, however, they are held in secluded places—often without valid documents, money, or the means to return home. In Côte d’Ivoire alone, more than 500 Ghanaians remain trapped, with 202 more currently reported in Nigeria.
Ongoing Rescues and Government Action
Mr Ablakwa revealed that Ghana, in collaboration with Ivorian immigration authorities, is working to rescue over 200 citizens still being held in Cote d’Ivoire. So far, 400 Ghanaians trafficked to various West African countries have been rescued and repatriated since 2021.
“Our embassies and missions in these countries are actively providing consular support while working closely with Interpol and local authorities to track down the perpetrators,” the Minister said.
He lamented that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the scam but urged Ghanaians with relevant information to assist in bringing the criminals to justice.
Public Education Campaign
To help combat the growing menace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), will launch a nationwide public sensitization campaign in September. The initiative aims to alert citizens—particularly the youth—to the dangers of falling for fake travel schemes.
Mr Ablakwa emphasized that combating human trafficking requires both vigilance and collaboration, urging communities, families, and the media to play an active role in raising awareness and reporting suspicious recruitment activities.
The situation adds to growing concerns about the exploitation of economic hardship by transnational criminal networks targeting vulnerable populations in Ghana and across the subregion.
