Ghana Police warns of rising human trafficking through sports
The Ghana Police Service has expressed concern over the increasing use of sports as a means of human trafficking, especially among young footballers chasing opportunities abroad.
The warning was given by William Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, during a media training organised on April 15, 2026, at the IOM Head Office, 9 Volta Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra.
According to him, traffickers are now taking advantage of the dreams of young athletes by promising them professional contracts and trials outside the country.
He said many victims and their families invest huge sums of money in these promises, only for the athletes to later discover that the opportunities were fake.
“Human trafficking is a crime that strips people of their rights, ruins their dreams, and robs them of their dignity. Help stop this crime,” Mr. Ayaregah stated.
Mr. Ayaregah explained that some victims arrive in foreign countries and realise there is no football club waiting for them.
Others, he noted, have their passports taken from them and are left stranded without support.
Some are also forced into labour or other forms of exploitation unrelated to sports.
He stressed that the fight against trafficking should not be left to security agencies alone.
According to him, stronger collaboration is needed between:
* football authorities
* the media
* immigration officials
* families
* and the general public
to protect young talents from exploitation.
Mr. Ayaregah further urged journalists to be careful about the type of sports opportunities they publicise.
He said some traffickers use media platforms and social media advertisements to target vulnerable young people.
The training formed part of efforts to raise awareness about trafficking in sports and encourage responsible reporting on the issue.
Source: Alex Kobina Stonne
