The information gathered has exposed a transnational human trafficking network where thousands of Ghanaians have been lured with promises of travel to Europe, are now trapped in camps, and forced into criminal activities such as prostitution and cybercrime.
Superintendent William Ayariga, Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, made this revelation following a joint intelligence effort.
According to Superintendent William Ayariga, a routine missing person’s investigation quickly exposed something far more disturbing.
He disclosed that, “Through tracking, we realised a large number of the victims we were searching for had been trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire”.
The report shared by Starrfm read, “Many of the victims had left Ghana believing they were on their way to countries like France and Canada. Instead, they were transported across West Africa, ending up in remote camps in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
One of the key locations identified is Bondoukou, where an estimated 2,500 victims are believed to be held. Other trafficking hotspots include: Aniabrekrom, Ambegro, Songor and Noé.
These camps serve as hubs for exploitation, where victims are brainwashed and forced into illicit activities”.
The report further added, “With support from Ivorian security forces, investigators managed to access one of the camps in Bondoukou. What they found was deeply disturbing.
Between 400 and 450 victims were identified in a single camp. Victims included pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children as young as two months old and their ages ranged from 16 to 60 years
Despite the breakthrough, the specific missing persons initially being tracked were not found.
Two suspected traffickers, identified as Deborah and Suzzy, were arrested and handed over to local authorities.
Deborah is believed to be a major kingpin operating multiple camps across Côte d’Ivoire, with recruitment networks extending into all regions of Ghana.
Suzzy, reportedly from Sefwi Wiaso, is said to have used multiple identities to recruit victims, including at least 10 individuals from Bibiani alone”.
Also, the “victims are targeted across all social classes, including teachers, nurses, bank executives, and even security personnel (military and police). They are promised jobs or relocation abroad, often to Europe. Families invest heavily
They often sell valuables, including cocoa farms, cars, and pay up to 130,000 cedis to ensure their relocation plans are achieved”.
The news has ignited debate on social media with netizens saying, “This should tell us that our people migrate to other countries for work/edu/fun and mostly for greener pastures as others migrate to ours, as has been the norm since the beginning of time.
Do not despise peaceful foreigners”.
A netizen added, “The system makes everybody feel running away from the country and hungry to travel, and it seems the leaders are in support of it, because we, the youths, are the problem of ourselves.. hmm”.
One X user added, “In this age and time! Not through Ghana but other sub-Saharan countries? Gracious me! These traffickers must be stopped to save other unassuming targets. Everybody wants to live with the slightest chance. It’s not only about the nation being unsupportive but coercion & brainwashing too”.
“We need to start an anti-immigration campaign to warn people against travelling without a plan. Some people are so eager to travel that they hope on anything they hear”, a netizen added.
One netizen added, “A friend was a victim ooooo he fool basaaaaaaa…A whole plumber doing so well here in Ghana …You decided to be manipulated by some stupid agents to travel to Canada me a while dem bab u for Ivory Coast herhhhh ofui Jon olodo”.
Additionally, another Ghanaian wrote, “When they tell u to stay, fight and build ur country, you think they are doing you. Everyone thinks he’s too smart and so wants to flee and leave the problem behind for a better life elsewhere…the situation will even get worse over time with everyone tightening their borders now…”.
See the post below:
Over 450 Ghanaians trapped in trafficking camps in Côte d’Ivoire after being lured with fake Europe travel promises…#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/q8x7Yiq5V6
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) May 4, 2026