By Bill W. Cooper
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has provided a grant of US$35,000 towards supporting the government’s initiatives aimed at combating trafficking in persons (TIP) in Liberia.
However, the funding comes at a crucial time as the country battles with the challenges posed by human trafficking, which has been exacerbated by socio-economic factors and the lingering effects of the 14-year of civil unrest.
Also, the funds presented to the Ministry of Labor (MOL) will be managed and supervised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), ensuring the full utilization of the funds in a more transparent and accountable manner.
Human trafficking remains a pressing issue in Liberia, where the nation’s vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, are often exploited for labor and sexual purposes.
The country’s history of civil war, poverty, and lack of educational opportunities has further created an environment where trafficking can thrive, thus becoming a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking, evidence to the recent cases.
Speaking during the signing ceremony Wednesday, November 6, 2024, ECOWAS Special Representative to Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah disclosed that the grant is part of a broader strategy to strengthen member states’ capacities to address trafficking.
Amb. Nkrumah also emphasized the importance of collaboration among member states, civil society organizations, and international partners to create a comprehensive approach to combat trafficking in member states and the region at large.
According to her, ECOWAS recognizes that human trafficking is a regional issue that requires a coordinated response as such, the grant provided the Liberian government is aim buttress the government’s effort in its response mechanism to address the malice.
She added in recent years, ECOWAS has implemented various initiatives aimed at combating trafficking, including the establishment of the ECOWAS Policy for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and the Protection of Victims.
This, she maintained that with these policy in place, the regional body will continue to work collaboratively with the Liberian government ensuring that trafficked Liberians are rescue and that those at risked be prevented from falling prey to the malice.
Labor Minister Cooper Kruah expressed gratitude to ECOWAS for its timely support through the proviso of the grant, assuring that the grant is for and will not be used for any of the Ministry’s projects or initiatives.
“This grant will significantly enhance our efforts to combat trafficking in persons in Liberia. It will enable us to implement critical programs aimed at prevention, protection, and prosecution,” he said.
Minister Kruah also highlighted the importance of raising public awareness about the dangers of trafficking and the need for community involvement in identifying and reporting cases.
He at the same time emphasized the need for training law enforcement officials including the Ministry’s inspectors and social workers to better understand and address the complexities of trafficking.
Kruah added that even though the government has made some strides in addressing the issue, but significant challenges still remain, and the grant is expected to provide much-needed support to enhance the government’s capacity to tackle these challenges.
The IOM Country Coordinator to Liberia, Serge Lenaud, expressed gratitude to have formed part of the signing ceremony, pledging the IOM fullest support to ensure the successful implementation of the grant.
