The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has evolved and expanded its functions to adapt to changing
circumstances and national priorities, including the Ghana National Action Plan on United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (GHANAP 2). GIS is one of the Security agencies
mandated by the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 Act 694 to help combat the transnational crime of
trafficking in Ghana. The Act was amended in 2009, Act 784.
To fulfill this responsibility, the GIS set up the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons
Unit (AHSTIP) in 2012. Through AHSTIP, the Service contributes significantly towards the
Prevention and Protection Pillars of GHANAP 2.
FOSDA's monitoring visit to the GIS under the Monitoring GHANAP 2 Project revealed that the
AHSTIP works with a comprehensive 4P approach—Prevention, Protection, Partnership, and
Prosecution. Aside from their duty in the four areas mentioned above, the role of AHSTIP is also
to rescue, arrest, intercept, and investigate when it comes to human smuggling and trafficking.
They also work to create awareness and build capacity towards preventing such issues. AHSTIP is
gender aware and sensitive to women and girls' specific needs and vulnerabilities in its fight
against human trafficking.
The Unit is headed by Superintendent Alberta Ankrah, and the unit demonstrates utmost
diligence when dealing with issues of trafficking and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This
includes addressing the different situations, roles, needs, and interests of women, men, girls, and
boys who have been identified as victims of trafficking when offering protection measures such
as shelter, medical services, psychological counseling, legal services, and sometimes even skills
training. Most importantly, as envisioned by GHANAP, women and girls are provided with the
necessary support and protection from the moment of rescue until they are reintegrated into
society. Additionally, AHSTIP uses a data system as part of the mechanisms to monitor and
control sex trafficking syndicates and labour trafficking. Hence this data system is used to inform
their rescue operations. They also work to prosecute all perpetrators with a minimum sentence
of 5 years and a maximum of 25 years in prison.
The dedicated work of the AHSTIP has played a vital role in fighting human trafficking in Ghana
and safeguarding the safety and well-being of those impacted by it, most of whom are women
and girls. In July 2023, The Ghana News Agency report stated that 'Ghana has made progress in
human trafficking prosecution,' which has earned Ghana a ranking on tier two global, indicating
Ghana's commitment to ending human trafficking. Ghana has been in the tier two ranking for the
past six years. Being in tier two means that even though the government does not fully meet the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA's) minimum standards, over the past six years,
Ghana has been making significant efforts to follow those standards. Evidently, the Ghana News
Agency reported that from 2017 till date, GIS (AHSTIP) is one of the institutions that significantly
contributed to the achievement of 803 total cases reported of which 797 were investigated.
The Monitoring GHANAP 2 Project is impressed by the active contribution of the GIS (AHSTIP)
toward the implementation of Ghana NAP 2 on UNSCR 1325. Notably, AHSTIP contributes to Pillar
Two, Protection and Promotion of Rights, of GHANAP 2. These efforts are seen to fall under
objective two of Pillar Two of the GHANAP, which is captured as 'mainstream human rights
protection and the safety of women and girls in all sectors.'
FOSDA commends the good work of the Immigration Service and hopes that the Anti-Human
Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit (AHSTIP) is adequately funded with all the resources
and logistics needed to protect and promote women's rights as envisaged by the Plan
