As part of its mandate to create prosperity in Africa, Ensign Global University partnered with Engage Now Africa to host a conference on the theme “The Public Health Challenge of Human Trafficking –Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration, and Recovery.” Held on August 12, 2024, this anti-human trafficking summit brought together key stakeholders to discuss current issues in human trafficking across Africa.

The conference featured participation from several key institutions, including the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Economic and Organized Crime Office, the International Cocoa Initiative, and the Attorney General’s Department. The discussions centered on the importance of adopting a public health approach to combat human trafficking, with a focus on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.

Mr. Afasi, Director of Engage Now Africa, and a member of the Commonwealth 8.7 Management Committee for Africa, delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he emphasized the need for a holistic approach to combating human trafficking, drawing attention to the socio-economic and cultural factors. Mr. Afasi also highlighted the impact of growing poverty, unemployment, inequality, gender-based violence and some harmful African cultural practices as major issues that push individuals towards migration, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

Country Director of Engage Now Africa, Madame Cecilia Amankwah, shared insights on the organization’s efforts to provide skills training in Ghana to reduce vulnerability to human trafficking.
Speakers on the panel discussion called for strengthened partnerships between Ensign Global University and state institutions to enhance the collection of primary data on human trafficking cases. They also emphasized the need for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to combat human trafficking, involving all sectors of society in the fight against this pressing issue.

In 2025, Ensign Global University plans to announce certification programmes for domestic and international students seeking to better understand and combat human trafficking on a global scale. The optional certifications, available through additional course study and fieldwork, will be open to all graduate students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Additionally, MPH scholarship opportunities will be available for professionals already working in the field of anti-human trafficking, including members of the Ghana National Police Force, Ghanaian Immigration Services, the Attorney General’s Office, and any prospective international student with a background in combating human trafficking.