Adidome: Globeserve Ministries International, in partnership with Westwood Community Church (USA) and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), has organized the Gospel of Justice Conference at Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region. The conference, held under the theme 'Confronting Child Labor, Child Trafficking, and Child Slavery Holistically in the Volta Region: The Role of the Citizenry, Especially the Church', sought to raise awareness and mobilize action against child exploitation in the country, particularly on the Volta Lake.
According to Ghana News Agency, Reverend Samuel A.K. Dunya, Head Pastor of Globeserve Missionary Church, emphasized the Church's responsibility to combat child trafficking, forced labor, and slavery. He stated that the Church is mandated to defend the voiceless and uphold justice, and thus, Globeserve has taken the initiative to create awareness and collaborate with stakeholders to release, rehabilitate, and reintegrate affected children.
Rev. Dunya highlighted that the Gospel of Justice Conferences are annual events in Adidome and Yeji, areas heavily impacted by child trafficking and labor. The initiative aims not only to rescue victims but also to engage perpetrators, including boat owners and fishing industry operators, in dialogue. He noted that when individuals are transformed by the gospel, they often change their ways, leading to voluntary release of children by some fishing operators.
He further explained that justice for vulnerable children involves more than liberation; it includes restoring dignity and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and a secure family environment. He noted that rescued children are now in school and looking toward a brighter future.
Rev. Joseph Owusu Agyemang, Zonal Chairman of GPCC (Goil Zone, Ho), called on churches to be more proactive in advocating against child labor and trafficking. He stressed that pastors should address the issue intentionally to achieve real change, recounting tragic incidents of children who died in fishing expeditions on the Volta Lake.
Togbe Kwasinyi Agyemang Kakaklolo V, the Dufia of Adidome, committed the traditional council's support in enacting bylaws to protect children. He stressed the importance of unity among traditional leaders, the church, government, and civil society in safeguarding children's futures. He urged parents not to compromise their children's futures by allowing them to work on the lake.
The conference brought together clergy, traditional leaders, civil society actors, and community members to discuss practical steps to address child trafficking and labor in the Volta Region.
