More than 30 women are feared to be trapped in isolated camps in the Savannah Region, where they are allegedly being forced into prostitution after being trafficked into Ghana under the guise of securing employment.
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has launched efforts to locate the women following the arrest of a suspected trafficking kingpin accused of operating a cross-border network that exploits vulnerable women from Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Prince James, also known as Prince Odugbu, was arrested during a late-night operation led by the Savannah Regional Command of the GIS.
Savannah Regional Commander of the Service, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) Lawrence Agyei Agyapong, said the suspect was in custody at the regional headquarters and assisting investigators with their inquiries.
The arrest has brought renewed attention to the alleged trafficking operation, with authorities facing the urgent task of locating the women believed to remain in the camps and identifying others suspected of participating in the network.
According to DCOI Agyapong, the alleged operation spans Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, with victims reportedly deceived into travelling to Ghana through false promises of employment.
Investigations indicate that the women were recruited in Nigeria, transported through Benin and Togo, and brought into Ghana through Aflao before being moved through Accra to remote communities in the Savannah Region.
One of the reported destinations is Kloth, a mining community in the Bole District, approximately 240 kilometres from Damongo, the regional capital.
The area’s difficult terrain and limited road access are believed to complicate security operations and efforts to reach potential victims.
Survivor’s account exposes alleged deception
A survivor whose testimony reportedly helped authorities identify and track down the suspected ringleader described how she was deceived into travelling to Ghana.
The trained nurse said she had accepted what she believed was an offer of employment in the healthcare sector, only to discover that the arrangement was intended to force her into prostitution.
“When I reached Ghana, I realised it was not hospital work; it was prostitution work,” she recounted.
Investigators suspect that the trafficking network used fabricated transportation debts to keep victims under control, compelling them to engage in prostitution to repay amounts they allegedly did not owe.
The practice reportedly prevented victims from regaining their freedom and exposed them to sexual violence, psychological trauma and prolonged exploitation.
The survivor is said to have escaped under the cover of darkness before helping authorities trace the suspected operator.
Her account has become a significant lead in the investigation as immigration officials seek to establish the full extent of the alleged operation.
Remote locations complicate rescue efforts
The suspected presence of more than 30 women in isolated camps presents a major challenge for authorities seeking to secure their release.
The remoteness of the reported locations could make it difficult to identify the exact sites, reach the women and determine whether other individuals are involved in their alleged confinement and exploitation.
Authorities are expected to establish the identities and whereabouts of the remaining victims while gathering evidence against the suspect and any accomplices identified during the investigation.
The case also highlights the vulnerability of jobseekers who accept employment offers abroad without adequate verification, particularly when recruitment involves intermediaries, travel arrangements and unexplained financial obligations.
Calls for accountability and victim protection
The arrest has intensified calls for a coordinated response to rescue the women, dismantle the alleged trafficking network and ensure that suspects face justice where sufficient evidence is established.
Investigators will need to establish the suspect’s alleged role in the operation, trace the movement of victims across borders and identify individuals who may have facilitated their recruitment, transportation or exploitation.
Protecting survivors and witnesses will also be critical to securing credible testimony and supporting any subsequent prosecution.
The GIS has urged jobseekers to verify employment opportunities before travelling, especially when offers involve overseas recruitment or demands for unexplained transportation and recruitment fees.
Members of the public have also been encouraged to report suspected human trafficking activities to the appropriate authorities.
With more than 30 women feared to remain at risk, the immediate priority is to locate and rescue the potential victims while ensuring that the investigation identifies the full network behind the alleged exploitation.
