No fewer than 12 Nigerian women and a Ghanaian woman have been arrested by police in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana, following a special operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking.
Two other suspects — a landlord and a bouncer were also taken into custody for allegedly facilitating the illegal activities.
The New Juaben South Municipal Police Command said the arrests followed a complaint by a 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Stella Godwill, who alleged she was trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana by her handler, identified as Christabel Simon Monday, and forced into commercial sex work.
According to the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, the victim told officers she was required to remit a daily target of GH¢400 from prostitution proceeds but was allegedly assaulted when she could only raise GH¢250 on the day of the incident.
“Last Sunday, we received a complaint from a Nigerian lady who said she was assaulted by her mistress, whom we normally call a ‘queen mother,’ because she could not meet the daily target of GH¢400,” Nsiah said.
Following the complaint, police launched investigations and stormed Dabiasem, a suburb of New Juaben, where the prime suspect was arrested.
Officers also uncovered a brothel allegedly operated by a landlord who collected GH¢25 daily from each woman, leading to the arrest of 12 additional suspects.
Police said condoms were recovered during the raid.
The suspects, aged between 15 and 31, are believed to have violated Sections 273, 274 and 277 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960, which criminalise prostitution, human trafficking and the operation of brothels.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustine Kusi Asante, the Municipal Crime Officer, warned landlords against renting out properties for illegal activities, stressing that anyone found complicit would face the full weight of the law.
He also expressed concern over the involvement of minors, noting that at least one of those arrested was as young as 15. Police said the minor has been separated from the adults for protection, while arrangements are being made with the Department of Social Welfare.
Superintendent Nsiah confirmed that all suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded.
The arrests come amid growing concerns over cross-border trafficking involving young women, particularly Nigerians, who are reportedly lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but forced into prostitution upon arrival.
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