Amewuga: Border town takes bold stand against human trafficking, child marriage, and modern slavery
In the heart of Ghana’s busiest eastern border town, a powerful movement is taking shape, one that dares to confront the ugly truths many are too afraid to speak of.
With raw emotion, chilling testimonies, and bold public engagements, the “Amewuga Advocacy Campaign” is shaking Aflao and its neighboring communities out of silence, reminding everyone that human life is not for sale.
In the Ewe language, “Amewuga” means “a person is valuable”. And that message rang loud and clear throughout the campaign’s three-day community intervention, led by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Aflao Sector Command, in collaboration with faith-based organizations like the Handmaid of the Divine Redeemer Sisters’ Foundation, the International Centre for Safe Migration (ICSM), and other partners.
“They Promise You Heaven. You End Up in Hell.”
At the Aflao Secondary Technical School, over 700 students sat in stunned silence as actors dramatized the cruel realities of trafficking: girls lured with promises of good jobs, only to be forced into prostitution or domestic servitude. Some are beaten. Others disappear. Some are never found.
After the performance, Rev. Sister Regina Ignatia Afla stepped forward with a sobering message:
“Don’t let the love for money steal your future. If you are not careful, you’ll be taken away, forced into child marriage, or used as a domestic slave. Some girls are treated worse than animals. If they refuse, they are threatened with death — or worse.”
She looked the students in the eyes and pleaded:
“You have a country. You have a purpose. Don’t trade your life for lies. God has given you something precious — protect it.”
“Amewuga: A Person is More Valuable Than Profit”
DSI Justice Kodjo Normeshie, Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Unit at Aflao, was direct and unflinching in his address:
> “Some people will come with sweet talk. They will say they have opportunities for you abroad. But those promises are traps. Human trafficking is real, and we are seeing it every day at our borders.”
Speaking to drivers, motorcyclists, and other transport actors, he added: “Amewuga — a human being is more valuable than money. Please, don’t trade someone’s daughter for cash. Don’t look away. Help us stop this.”
Three Days of Bold, Border-Wide Action
The campaign unfolded across multiple platforms, reaching thousands beyond the school grounds:
Day 1: A culturally relevant live TV discussion in Ewe, hosted on EWE24 TV in Akatsi, broke down human trafficking myths and realities for rural viewers.
Day 2: An immersive outreach at Aflao Sec Tech with drama, poetry, and testimonies, followed by border post flyer distribution to alert travelers and traders.
Day 3: A no-holds-barred radio discussion on Amenuveve 105.3 FM, where officers took calls from worried parents and survivors shared chilling stories. The campaign was part of a broader GIS initiative on Policy Mainstreaming of Migration Risks at the Aflao Sector Command.
“Two Girls Like You Were Taken — We Couldn’t Save Them”
Rev. Sister Regina didn’t shy away from real examples:
“Two girls — same age as you — were taken just last month. Promised jobs. They ended up in a prostitution ring. When they refused, they were abused. This is not theatre. This is happening.”
She urged students to carry the message home:
“Talk to your parents. Talk to your friends. Don’t let anyone disappear in silence again.”
Campaign Team & Collaboration
A committed team of immigration officers and faith-based advocates drove the Amewuga Advocacy Campaign:
DSI Justice Kudzo Normeshie (Team Lead)
Inspectors Samuel Hafudza and Abednego Mensah
ICO Nathaniel Lamptey, AICO II Daniel Kpordzahor, and others. Supporting partners included the Africa Faith & Justice Network and Talitha Kum, both international, faith-based NGOs focused on anti-trafficking efforts.
Rev. Sister Ignatia, representing the Handmaid Foundation, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment:
“Faith is not just about prayer. It is about justice. We are ready to work with GIS to support victims and fight this evil.”
A Border Town Sends a Message to the Nation
What started as a local campaign is now gaining national attention.
Aflao — once known only for trade and traffic — is now speaking boldly about dignity, freedom, and the value of human life.
“This is not a one-off,” DSI Normeshie said.
“We will continue until every trafficker is stopped, every child is safe, and every girl knows her worth.”
Source: Ivy Priscilla Setordjie
