A Ghanaian child protection organisation, Challenging Heights, has warned of a growing network using social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to recruit Ghanaian children into the commercial sex trade.

The organisation says girls in mining communities are increasingly vulnerable to sexual exploitation, with some victims reportedly below the age of 16.

The warning comes after a joint operation by Challenging Heights and the Ghana Police Service resulted in the rescue of 47 victims of sexual exploitation from six communities around Goaso in the Ahafo Region.

Following the operation, 26 of the rescued victims were placed in the care of Challenging Heights for rehabilitation and recovery. The organisation identified 16 of those victims as being under the age of 18.

While a significant number of the victims were foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, Challenging Heights says the recruitment of Ghanaian girls into the sex trade is becoming increasingly common.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi FM, founder of Challenging Heights, James Kofi Annan, described the situation as an emerging pattern of child exploitation in mining communities.

“We are now seeing an active recruitment of Ghanaians, Ghanaian girls, into the sex trade in the mining communities..

“We are also seeing a worrying trend of babies being affected by this sexual exploitation and forced prostitution in the mining [communities],” he added.

Annan urged the Ghana Police Service to step up operations against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, especially in communities identified as hotspots.

He further called on the Ghana Immigration Service to strengthen surveillance and border controls to prevent traffickers from moving victims across Ghana’s borders.

The organisation’s concerns highlight the need for stronger child protection systems and increased vigilance in mining communities, where vulnerable children may be exposed to trafficking and sexual exploitation.