Sr. Joy Abuh, of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), has raised awareness against human trafficking among the students of Donkorkrom Agricultural Senior High School (DASHS) in the Kwahu Afram Plains North, Eastern Region of Ghana.
Addressing the learners in the school hall on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, which marks the World Anti-Human Trafficking Day, she urged them to watch out for perpetrators of human trafficking, who usually come to them in the guise of ‘helpers’.
Sr. Abuh is the Coordinator of Talitha Kum Network for the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom.
Talitha Kum is an international Catholic organization dedicated to combating human trafficking.
It was established in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG).
The name, meaning “Little girl, I say to you, arise” in Aramaic, is taken from the Gospel of Mark, symbolising the organization’s mission to restore dignity and hope to victims of trafficking.
Talitha Kum operates through a network of Catholic sisters and allies across various countries, focusing on prevention, protection, social reintegration, and advocacy.
Targeting mainly the final year students of DASHS who are more or less prone to trafficking, on account of the fact that most of them will be free and can easily be deceived once they finish their exams and leave the School, Sr. Abuh, advised the students to be inquisitive: “Ask questions, to people who come around seeking to take them to various countries for work.”
Sr. Abuh, who is also a teacher in DASHS, told the students to ask such questions as: “What is the job available? Who is responsible? Where will I stay and with whom?”.
This, according to her, would help them know the intentions of the strangers, or supposed benefactors, and avoid going with them.
She equally brought it to their awareness that human parts like the kidney could be taken out of the person for sale without their knowledge.
Hence, she advised students who must undergo surgeries to ask questions and know the kind of surgery they were going in for, or even what sickness they were suffering from, before they succumbed to any medical engagement.
“Human Trafficking is evil; human beings are not for sale,” she conscientised.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is an annual event globally observed on July 30. The day was established on December 18, 2013, by the United Nations General Assembly with the desire to raise awareness, and promote the protection of the rights of trafficking victims.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR.
