Ghana upgraded to Tier 1 in US human trafficking report

The United States Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report has upgraded Ghana from Tier 2 to Tier 1, signifying that the nation fully meets minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking. This elevation follows measurable progress in prosecution, victim identification, and survivor support. During the reporting period, Ghana identified 2,331 victims, prosecuted 212 alleged traffickers, and secured 28 convictions.

Despite the upgrade, the report highlights significant challenges. Nigerian nationals were identified as the largest group of foreign victims in Ghana, with 896 individuals recorded. Traffickers often use deceptive job offers to lure women and girls into commercial sex work or forced labour, sometimes linked to online scam operations. Other foreign victims included nationals from Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Togo, Senegal, Niger, and Benin.

In contrast, Sri Lanka has retained its Tier 2 status for the fifth consecutive year. This designation indicates that while the government is making significant efforts to combat trafficking, it does not yet fully meet the minimum standards for elimination. Sri Lanka has introduced a National Strategic Action Plan for 2026–2030 and established District Anti-Trafficking Forums to improve local coordination and victim identification.