False trafficking claims lead to Ghanaian children being forcibly removed from their homes

An investigation by BBC Africa Eye has revealed that the US-based charity International Justice Mission (IJM) has removed children from their families in Ghana without sufficient evidence of trafficking. The charity, which receives significant funding and support, focuses on rescuing children who have been trafficked for slave labor on Lake Volta. However, the investigation found cases where children were forcibly taken and their relatives prosecuted as traffickers, despite little-to-no evidence. The aggressive approach may be fueled by a target-driven culture within IJM. The children were eventually reunited with their families after months of separation, but the trauma and consequences of the operations continue to affect the families involved.