Accra: The Global Freedom Network (GFN), a faith-based arm of Walk Free, has joined forces with law enforcement agencies and faith leaders to tackle the pervasive issue of modern slavery worldwide, including in Ghana, through coordinated and collaborative efforts.
According to Ghana News Agency, the commitment was made during the Faith in Action Against Modern Slavery Conference held in Ghana. Madam Franca Pellegrini, Head of the Network, emphasized the importance of equipping faith leaders across regions over the past decade to identify and combat modern slavery. The organization has supported survivor-led initiatives and fostered partnerships between faith communities, civil society, and governments to influence laws and promote ethical practices.
Modern slavery, which encompasses exploitation that individuals cannot escape due to threats or coercion, affects over 50 million people globally. It manifests in various forms, including debt bondage, domestic servitude, and forced marriages, impacting men, women, and children alike.
Madam Pellegrini highlighted the moral crisis of slavery found in supply chains, online spaces, and communities. She called for collaboration between faith leaders, who play a crucial role in shaping societal norms and values, and traditional leaders to inspire justice and change harmful traditions. Achieving real change, according to Pellegrini, requires interfaith solidarity, cross-sector partnerships, and survivor leadership, turning words into action.
Statistics from the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery in 2021 reveal that 28 million people were in forced labor, and 22 million were in forced marriages, with nearly 10 million more affected since 2016. Mrs. Abena Annobea Asare from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, urged religious leaders to carefully consider their prophecies to prevent individuals from making uninformed travel decisions based on faith alone. She also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in training over 1000 people to raise awareness.
DSP William Ayaregah of the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Trafficking Unit reported on the prosecution of 15 human trafficking cases. He stressed the need for support from various community stakeholders, including CSOs, NGOs, and opinion leaders, to achieve zero tolerance for human trafficking.
Most Rev Dr. Paul Boafo, President of the African Methodist Council, encouraged faith leaders to collaborate with agencies to educate their congregations about the risks of migration. He emphasized the importance of advocating for genuine travel opportunities and creating awareness of the dangers of trafficking and exploitation through religious platforms.