Apostle Immanuel Tettey, the immediate past General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches (GPCC), has called on religious bodies to use their pulpit to lead the charge against child exploitation.
He emphasised that the church must foster a culture of vigilance, encouraging members to actively protect children and develop sustainable measures to counter exploitation.
Apostle Tettey made the call at the Southern Justice Conference in Mepe, in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, and urged church leaders to dedicate at least one day every quarter to educate congregations on child protection.
The conference was organised by GlobeServe Ministries International under the theme: “The Role of the Citizenry and the Church in Confronting Child Labour, Child Trafficking, and Child Slavery Holistically.”
Apostle Tettey strongly admonished Ministers of the Gospel to stop shielding individuals who commit crimes against children.
“Ministers must avoid pleading on behalf of perpetrators of child trafficking or abuse,” he stated, stressing that such individuals must be handed over directly to law enforcement agencies.
The Apostle further cautioned against treating child abuse as a private family matter, insisting on the prosecution of offenders to serve as a deterrent.
Apostle Tettey appealed to District Assemblies to allocate specific budgetary resources toward child protection initiatives in the communities.
He reminded families of their fundamental duty to properly care for their children, warning them against forcing them into hazardous work at the expense of their education.
Reverend Samuel Anthony Kofi Dunya, the President of GlobeServe Ministries International, cautioned parents and guardians against the deceptive tactics used by human traffickers.
“Traffickers will never introduce themselves as such,” Reverend Dunya warned, advising families to never surrender a child into uncertainty.
Reverend Dunya called on traditional authorities, including chiefs and queen mothers, to establish child protection committees, challenge harmful traditional practices, and ensure that no community concealed the suffering of a child.
He underscored that true, holistic justice required a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, rescue, psychological healing, education, family strengthening, accountability, and long-term follow-up.
Reverend Dunya warned that without effective rehabilitation, rescued children returned to environments of poverty and hunger face a high risk of being re-trafficked.
To bridge these gaps, he appealed to churches, district assemblies, and community groups to provide vulnerable households with practical assistance, such as school materials, feeding support, and adult apprenticeship opportunities.