BY: Tabitha Kugbonu I Voltaonlinegh.com |
Engage Now Africa (ENA), End Modern Slavery (EMS) in partnership with the Koforidua Department of Social Welfare have rescued a 14 year old girl from child trafficking and forced labour in Adweso, a community in the Koforidua Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The rescue came few months after investigations conducted by End Modern Slavery (EMS), with support from the department of Social Welfare led to the victim.
They said, the incident was reported by some two concerned citizen, Pastor Richmond Nkansah, who oversees a faith based organization and an Opinion leader (Name withheld), all in Apeatu the community the victim was trafficked from to Adweso.
ENA, upon hearing the case collaborated with the regional directorate of social welfare in Koforidua for rescue operation.
The findings added that, before the victim was rescued, the Chief of Apeatu summoned the perpetrator who happens to be the father of the victim, and after several reprimands, was asked to provide 3 pieces of eggs and an amount of Ghc 30.00 as a fine for committing such heinous offense in the community.
The report said, the father was not able to pay the full amount, but only provided Ghc 20.00 and the 3 eggs.
“The father out of ignorance took the victim from her mother but could not fed and discharge his fatherly responsibilities. He then placed her under the care of a friend who later sent her to another friend when he started having some challenges with the girl”
The third party who now became the final receiver of the victim, subjected her into domestic servitude until End Modern Slavery subsequently engaged the State Institution in charge of child’s welfare, Department of Social Welfare, to rescue the victim.
The mother whose daughter was forcefully taken from her by her abandoned husband who she had 5 children with including the victim, was glad to see her daughter after three months of separation.
Engage Now Africa (EMS) further obtained a certificate of reunification from Department of Social Welfare to document the case and also supported the mother with their sustainable livelihood package and medical screening of the girl.
Meanwhile, the suspect [the father] has since been invited by the law enforcement agency to assist in further investigations.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
