A NEW pilot project has been launched in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana, to tackle human trafficking through education and community engagement. The initiative, spearheaded by The Hope Education Project (HEP), seeks to raise awareness among young people and parents, equipping them with the knowledge to identify and avoid trafficking risks.
The programme, which began in February 2025, is being implemented in partnership with local organisation Norsaac. It focuses on three Junior High Schools in Tamale—Gumbihini, Sagnarigu, and New Gbolo—delivering trafficking awareness sessions to students aged 13-16. Additionally, it extends support to out-of-school girls aged 17-20 and parent groups, aiming to create a broader shield against exploitation.
Education as a tool against trafficking
HEP’s programme is built around the slogan Be Smart! Be Strong! Say No When Things Feel Wrong, reinforcing the message that informed decision-making can protect individuals from traffickers. Participants receive training on their rights, common recruitment tactics used by traffickers, online safety, and the importance of identifying ‘three trusted adults’ to seek guidance from in risky situations.
The project also incorporates a research component, assessing awareness levels before and after training. By collecting data through surveys, focus groups, and community engagement, HEP and its research partners aim to understand trafficking patterns in Tamale and refine their prevention strategies.
Tamale, which has grown rapidly to nearly 800,000 residents in the past decade, was selected for the pilot due to its economic challenges. Poverty, unemployment, and gender inequality make young people in the region particularly vulnerable to trafficking networks that lure victims with false job promises.
Building a research-driven response
The International Labour Organisation estimates that 50 million people are currently trapped in modern slavery, with human trafficking being one of its most widespread forms. West Africa remains a hotspot, with many individuals deceived into forced labour and sexual exploitation under the guise of lucrative work opportunities abroad.
To ensure its approach is effective, HEP has secured Institutional Review Board approval from the Navrongo Health Research Centre. This milestone allows the organisation to conduct structured research in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, enabling evidence-based interventions and future programme expansion.
‘Human trafficking thrives on poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality—challenges that are widespread in Tamale and northern Ghana,’ said Angus Thomas, founder of HEP and Stop Trafficking Africa (STA). ‘This project is a critical step in empowering communities with the knowledge to protect themselves and make informed migration decisions.’
The programme is being delivered in both the local Dagbani language and English to ensure accessibility for all participants. The data collected will shape future initiatives, helping to refine and scale up trafficking prevention efforts across Ghana.
For more information or to support the initiative, visit hopeeducationproject.org/donate or follow @Hopeeducationghana on Instagram and @hopeeducatioproject on TikTok.
