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Ghana Upgraded to Tier 1 in 2026 US Trafficking in Persons Report
Ghana has been officially upgraded to Tier 1 in the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, published on October 8, 2026.
The historic advancement marks Ghana’s return to the top tier after seven years on lower Tier 2 rankings. International Justice Mission Ghana congratulated the government and stakeholders, attributing the achievement to coordinated action by government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, the media, and communities across the country.
Ghana Prosecuted 212 Traffickers and Identified 2,331 Victims in 2025
In 2025, the government investigated 222 trafficking cases, prosecuted 212 alleged traffickers, and convicted 28 traffickers. The government also identified 2,331 trafficking victims, including 492 sex trafficking victims, 1,302 labor trafficking victims, and 537 victims of unspecified forms of trafficking.
Furthermore, the government identified 567 Ghanaian trafficking victims abroad and allocated more funding for anti-trafficking efforts while conducting extensive anti-trafficking training for front-line officials.
Tier 1 Should Not Mean the End of Anti-Trafficking Efforts
IJM Ghana’s Director for the West Africa Programme, Anita Budu, described the upgrade as a significant national achievement, saying it reflects the power of coordinated action and collective commitment. She added that the achievement should inspire everyone to work even harder to ensure every child is safe, every survivor is protected, and every trafficker is held accountable.
Moreover, IJM Ghana urged stakeholders not to regard the Tier 1 status as the end of the fight against trafficking but as a basis for further action.
Challenges Remain Despite Historic Upgrade
Despite the progress, the report identified persistent weaknesses in victim protection, recruitment regulation, and the investigation of cyber-enabled trafficking. The report also noted that Ghanaian law did not prohibit workers from paying recruitment fees, leaving migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation.
In addition, IJM Ghana noted that children in Ghana still face forced labour in inland and coastal fishing, domestic work, street hawking, agriculture, artisanal mining, quarrying, and herding, while traffickers increasingly use technology to recruit and exploit victims through fraudulent job offers and online scams.
Source : 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report; US. DEPARTMENT of STATE