Combating Child Sexual Exploitation in Northern Ghana: Insights from ECPAT’s 2024 Workshop
From May 27 to 31, 2024, the vibrant city of Dakar, Senegal, hosted the ECPAT Regional Workshop, bringing together over 90 representatives from more than 50 civil society organizations (CSOs) across Africa. Among the attendees were policymakers, child protection advocates, and young leaders who converged to address the urgent issue of child sexual exploitation in West, Central, and North Africa. It was a great honour to attend this pivotal event as a representative from Ghana, and the experience has profoundly shaped the direction of the Hope Education Project (HEP) and our efforts to combat child sexual exploitation in Northern Ghana.
ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) is a global network of organizations dedicated to ending the sexual exploitation of children through advocacy, education, and capacity-building initiatives.
Reflections on the Workshop
The workshop illuminated the multifaceted challenges of child sexual exploitation, with discussions spanning key themes such as technology-facilitated abuse, exploitation in humanitarian settings, and access to justice for victims. A recurring message was the importance of data-driven action, capacity building, and community engagement in addressing these challenges.
Emerging Trends Highlighted:
- Technology-Facilitated Exploitation: The rapid adoption of digital tools in Africa has increased children’s vulnerability to online exploitation. However, inadequate awareness and outdated laws remain barriers to effective interventions.
- Exploitation in Humanitarian Settings: Displacement caused by conflict and climate crises has left many children, especially girls, at risk of sexual exploitation, with limited reporting mechanisms and accountability.
Barriers to Justice: Gender bias and distrust in formal systems impede access to justice for victims, underscoring the need for child-friendly, community-integrated solutions.
Willy Buloso, ECPAT Regional Coordinator for Africa with some of the She Leads delegates
HEP’s Commitment to Advancing Research
Currently, there is a significant gap in data relating to child sexual exploitation in Ghana. While ECPAT has conducted foundational work, including the “Ghana – Country Monitoring Report” and the “Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism: Ghana,” comprehensive, localized data remains limited.
In response, HEP is committed to undertaking further research to bridge this gap. Our focus will be on Northern Ghana, aiming to gather data that reflects the unique socio-cultural dynamics of the region. This research will inform targeted interventions and advocacy efforts, ensuring they are contextually relevant and effective.
Strategic Initiatives Inspired by the Workshop
The workshop has inspired HEP to integrate innovative strategies into our work:
- Strengthening Research and Data Collection: We plan to prioritize research initiatives to better understand the prevalence and forms of exploitation affecting children in Northern Ghana. This evidence base will inform both advocacy and programming.
- Empowering Communities and Youth: HEP is committed to forming school-based clubs and community groups to foster awareness and empower children as advocates for their own safety.
- Leveraging Technology: We will explore using digital tools to educate children, caregivers, and communities about online safety while advocating for stronger policies to address technology-facilitated exploitation.
- Partnering with Traditional and Religious Leaders: In Northern Ghana, local leaders hold significant sway. Their involvement can drive behaviour change and enhance the implementation of child protection frameworks.
HEP’s Role in the Broader Regional Effort
Though not specifically mentioned in the workshop’s published proceedings, HEP’s participation reflects our commitment to aligning with regional efforts. Collaborating with organizations across Africa provides opportunities to exchange best practices, amplify advocacy efforts, and implement strategies that address the unique challenges in Ghana.
The workshop also served as a platform to connect with like-minded organizations and researchers, opening pathways for partnerships. HEP looks forward to building on these relationships to enhance our impact.
Moving Forward
The ECPAT 2024 Regional Workshop was a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to combat child sexual exploitation. For HEP, it marks the beginning of a renewed focus on protecting vulnerable children in Northern Ghana and advancing research in this critical area.
As we move forward, we are inspired by the shared vision of a world free from child sexual exploitation and driven by the knowledge that through collaboration, innovation, and community-centered solutions, this vision can become a reality.
Note: This blog post reflects HEP’s commitment to addressing child sexual exploitation in Northern Ghana, inspired by insights from the ECPAT 2024 Regional Workshop. You can read a report of the workshop from ECPAT here.
