Ghana
In Ghana, children as young as three are enslaved in the fishing industry, forced to do hard and dangerous work to earn a profit for their masters. Ghana’s Lake Volta is the world’s largest manmade lake, covering 3,275 square miles, with thousands of children working in its massive fishing industry.
An IJM assessment in 2013 indicated that more than half of the nearly 800 children interviewed were trafficked—the majority 10 years old or younger. Victims are forced rise before dawn to go out on the lake, diving down into the dark water to untangle fishing nets.
Drowning and other hazards are a constant threat. They work long hours doing strenuous work, with no opportunity to go to school. One boy we rescued had been forced to continue hauling nets even after breaking his wrist. These children can expect no compassion from their masters, who maintain their control through violent beatings and withholding food.
*To protect IJM clients, we have used pseudonyms, obscured some images and included photos that do not depict actual victims where appropriate. Consent gathered for all images.
RESCUE VICTIMS
We partner with Ghanan officials and international law enforcement agencies to identify and rescue children who are being enslaved.
BRING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE
We collaborate with government prosecutors to ensure traffickers and others facilitating the abuse are brought to justice under Ghanan laws.
RESTORE SURVIVORS
We create customized care plans for each survivor, and we work with the government social services agency and private aftercare providers to ensure children have a safe place to grow up in freedom.
The Deep Place: One small boy. One huge lake. Foli* was a slave. Immerse yourself in his story.