The Ghana Police Service has expressed concern over the increasing use of sports as a cover for human trafficking, warning that young athletes are being targeted with false promises of professional opportunities abroad.
The caution was issued by William Ayaregah, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), during a media training session held on April 15, 2026, at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Head Office in Accra.
The workshop brought together sports journalists and key stakeholders to improve awareness of trafficking risks within the sporting industry and strengthen the role of the media in prevention efforts.
Mr. Ayaregah explained that traffickers often lure young athletes with promises of trials, contracts, and overseas exposure, which ultimately end in exploitation.
“Human trafficking is a crime that strips people of their rights, ruins their dreams, and robs them of their dignity. Help stop this crime,” he said.
He noted that many victims and their families commit significant financial resources in pursuit of these opportunities, driven by hopes of a better future through sport.
In several cases, he said, victims arrive in foreign countries only to discover that the promised clubs or agents do not exist. Others have their travel documents confiscated and are left stranded in unfamiliar and vulnerable conditions.
Mr. Ayaregah called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, football authorities, the media, and the general public to better protect young athletes from such exploitation.
He further urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting or publicising sports-related opportunities, warning that traffickers often exploit media visibility to reach unsuspecting victims.
According to him, addressing the problem requires a coordinated response beyond law enforcement, involving families, sporting institutions, and community stakeholders.
The training forms part of ongoing national efforts to raise awareness and promote responsible reporting on human trafficking within Ghana’s sports sector.
Source: Alex Kobina Stonne