The International Justice Mission (IJM) office in Ghana has issued a response following the release of a documentary by BBC Africa Eye.
The documentary alleges that certain Ghanaian children have been removed from their homes in an operation supported by a prominent anti-slavery organization.
Published on Monday, July 10, 2023, the investigative report by BBC Africa Eye made these claims.
According to IJM, the BBC’s allegations are “incredibly concerning”.
“We conducted a detailed internal investigation into the BBC’s claims. We will take on board any refinements to our processes, but – crucially – the findings revealed material inaccuracies in the BBC’s allegations, a statement from IJM noted.
In the ‘Hilltop’ case referred to by the BBC, IJM said it was fully transparent with police, providing them with the facts of the case, including that there was one likely case of child trafficking and three that were not clear (including Fatima’s).
The police are said to have conducted their own investigations determining there was sufficient evidence before proceeding with the operation and – following information gathered on the operation – police filed trafficking charges against the suspects.
“In this case, the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) determined that the three girls were not safe with their grandmother. Families were told by police what was happening and where the children were being taken. The IJM team who were supporting the authorities on the operation did not witness the police using guns in the manner described by BBC,” the statement added.
According to the statement, DSW decided to place the children with other family members in a different area where they were able to go to school.
“IJM Ghana in no way misled the authorities on the facts of this case. Protecting children’s welfare is at the core of IJM’s work in Ghana and we’re always looking to evaluate any ways to improve policies and practices,” portions of the statement further alluded.
In relation to “Operation Freedom”, the BBC claimed that Ms. Mawusi did not know the whereabouts of her children after they were removed by the authorities.
This is not accurate, according to IJM, as the institution in partnership with government social workers, facilitated and supervised phone communication between Ms. Mawusi and her children while she served her term, to assure her of the children’s safety and whereabouts.
IJM and DSW say they provided economic support in the form of business start- up equipment to the family to help ensure a safe return for the children.
Upon monitoring the home to ensure that Mawusi’s sister Mavis was thriving economically with her business, DSW reintegrated the children with her.