How a 16-year-old boy’s escape from forced labour on Lake Volta helped rescue six trafficked children

How a 16-year-old boy’s escape from forced labour on Lake Volta helped rescue six trafficked children

# 📰 Summary – 16‑Year‑Old’s Escape Leads to Rescue of Six Trafficked Children **Title:** *How a 16‑year‑old boy’s escape from forced labour on Lake Volta helped rescue six trafficked children* **Source:** Caleb Ahinakwah – MyJoyOnline **Date:** 7 July 2026 — ## 🔑 Core Story – A **16‑year‑old boy** (pseudonym “Philip”) escaped **forced labour on Lake Volta** in **2024**. – He endured **long hours fishing from sunrise to evening**, physical abuse, hunger, and exhaustion.

– While working, he learned that his **younger brother**—who had left home two years earlier under the promise of a “better life”—had also been **trafficked by the same boat master**. – This revelation **motivated him to flee** under cover of darkness, navigating dangerous waters for several hours before reaching safety. ### 📍 Dramatic Turn‑of‑Events > “This is coordination in action… This is accountability at work,” **Ms. Anita Budu** (IJM Director, West Africa Programme) told participants at Ghana’s **National Justice Conference 2026**.

– After escaping, Philip **encountered the same trafficker** at a bus terminal. – The trafficker **took him to a police station** and accused him of theft. – A **police investigator**—recently trained by IJM on multidisciplinary trafficking response—**recognised deeper issues** and **initiated a coordinated response**, contacting the **Department of Social Welfare** to place Philip in custody. > The information gathered **enabled authorities to locate and rescue six other boys**, **including Philip’s younger brother**.

### 🏛️ Institutional Collaboration – **International Justice Mission (IJM)** disclosed the case at the conference, highlighting how **law‑enforcement and social‑protection agencies** can work together to protect child‑trafficking victims. – IJM **recognised three officials** for their roles: 1. **Detective Corporal Lawrence Blantari** – Ghana Police Service 2. **Divine Gati** – Social worker, Department of Social Welfare 3.

“Philip”) escaped **forced labour on Lake Volta** in **2024**. – He endured **long hours fishing from sunrise to evening**, physical abuse, hunger, and exhaustion. – While working, he learned that his **younger brother**—who had left home two years earlier under the promise of a “better life”—had also been **trafficked by the same boat master**. – This revelation **motivated him to flee** under cover of darkness, navigating dangerous waters for several hours before reaching safety. ### 📍 Dramatic Turn‑of‑Events > “This is coordination in action… This is accountability at work,” **Ms. Anita Budu** (IJM Director, West Africa Programme) told participants at Ghana’s **National Justice Conference 2026**. – After escaping, Philip **encountered the same trafficker** at a bus terminal. – The trafficker **took him to a police station** and accused him of theft. – A **police investigator**—recently trained by IJM on multidisciplinary trafficking response—**recognised deeper issues** and **initiated a coordinated response**, contacting the **Department of Social Welfare** to place Philip in custody. > The information gathered **enabled authorities to locate and rescue six other boys**, **including Philip’s younger brother**. ### 🏛️ Institutional Collaboration – **International Justice Mission (IJM)** disclosed the case at the conference, highlighting how **law‑enforcement and social‑protection agencies** can work together to protect child‑trafficking victims. – IJM **recognised three officials** for their roles: 1. **Detective Corporal Lawrence Blantari** – Ghana Police Service 2. **Divine Gati** – Social worker, Department of Social Welfare 3. **Chief Inspector Henry Doku** – Police prosecutor (guided by Senior State Attorney **Andrews Dodzi Adugu**, focal person for human‑trafficking prosecution in Oti & Volta regions) – Detective Corporal Blantari could not attend the conference, but IJM hopes the Police Service’s Director‑General for Special Duties and Marine Affairs will convey appreciation. ### 📊 Stakeholder Takeaways – **Sustainable funding** for child‑protection systems is essential. – Effective anti‑trafficking responses need: – **Trained personnel** (e.g., multidisciplinary investigators) – **Adequate resources** – **Stronger inter‑agency coordination** > “The experience demonstrates the need for continued investment in systems that identify, protect and support vulnerable children.” – Organisers of the National Justice Conference — ## 📄 Key Excerpts (original format) “`text Children on a canoe on the Volta Lake “` “`text > “This is coordination in action… This is accountability at work,”

Developments are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.