Every year, thousands of children in Ghana are sent to Lake Volta to a life of modern slavery in the fishing industry. Many come from Church communities.
With little chance of escape they endure long days of hazardous labour, violent abuse, often receiving little food and no education: many die on the lakes. Their suffering could be prevented if more families knew the truth about what happens to trafficked children.
The long vacation for basic schools in Ghana (summer holidays) will start in about a month and we need to take action immediately. This is because, traffickers often recruit children during the long vacation with promises that it is a vacation job; yet it is slavery in disguise!
Please ask pastors and ministers to take just three minutes from their sermon to speak out – that's only one second for every thousand Ghanaians who live in modern slavery today. With your help we can take a big step towards ensuring that no child is sent to Lake Volta this year.
Dear Rt. Rev Prof. Emmanuel Martey,
Every year, thousands of children in Ghana are sent to Lake Volta to a life of modern slavery in the fishing industry. Many come from Church communities.
With little chance of escape they endure long days of hazardous labour, violent abuse, often receiving little food and no education: many die on the lakes. Their suffering could be prevented if more families knew the truth about what happens to trafficked children.
The long vacation for basic schools in Ghana (summer holidays) will start in about a month and we need to take action immediately. This is because, traffickers often recruit children during the long vacation with promises that it is a vacation job; yet it is slavery in disguise!
We call on you to ensure every faith leader subscribed to the Christian Council of Ghana:
- forbids members of their congregation from sending any child to Lake Volta;
- instructs followers to report absent children suspected of being trafficked to the police or social welfare
- teaches their congregation about the reality of conditions for children on Lake Volta.
[Your comments here]
We ask pastors and ministers to take just three minutes from their sermon to speak out – that's only one second for every thousand Ghanaians who live in modern slavery today. With your help we can take a big step towards ensuring that no child is sent to Lake Volta this year.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
