Sports must build dreams, not become a trap for human trafficking - CID Boss

The Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor has observed that every young athlete dreams of an opportunity to succeed.

She says for some, it is a professional football contract, an international trial, or a scholarship abroad. Unfortunately, she said, criminal networks are exploiting these dreams to deceive and traffic vulnerable young people.

Lydai Donkor said this when she delivered an address on “Addressing Human Trafficking in Sports in Ghana” at a training programme supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The event was focused on strengthening the capacity of officers to identify, investigate, and prevent human trafficking.

In her remarks, she emphasized the need for parents, coaches, football academies, sports administrators, and young athletes to remain vigilant.

"Promises of international contracts, scholarships, and professional opportunities must be carefully verified. No young person should lose their freedom, dignity, or future while pursuing a sporting dream," she said.

At the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), she said, they remain committed to strengthening intelligence-led investigations, protecting victims, and working with sporting institutions and international partners to identify and dismantle trafficking networks.

"Sports should remain a pathway to opportunity, discipline, and national pride. As we strengthen Ghana’s fight against human trafficking, our responsibility is to ensure that young talents are protected from exploitation and given the opportunity to pursue their dreams safely.

"Let us protect their dreams, safeguard their future, and ensure that no child becomes a victim of trafficking in the name of sports," she said.