Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has rescued 219 people who were trafficked into Ghana from various West African countries with the promise of high-paying jobs.

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The operation, which was based on intelligence, was carried out in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and the military.

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Speaking at a press conference on April 17, EOCO's Acting Executive Director, Abdul Bashiru Dapilah, revealed that the victims were lured into the country under false job promises. Instead, they were held against their will and forced to take part in cybercrime activities.

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“The operation was successful and 219 people were arrested at Isak estates in Oyarifa. The victims were lured into the country by the suspects ostensibly to give them lucrative jobs in Ghana.

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“Unfortunately, when they came to Ghana since there are no lucrative jobs existing then they took them hostages and they confined them at the Oyarifa estate and were forced to go into cybercrimes and cybercrime related activities,” he said.

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Several laptops, personal belongings, internet devices, and other items were seized from the suspects during the rescue operation. According to Abdul Bashiru Dapilah, the Acting Executive Director of EOCO, although the victims are mostly Nigerians, some Ghanaians are believed to have played a role in the crime.

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Investigations are currently underway to identify the group responsible for the trafficking. Authorities are also screening those involved to distinguish between the victims and the suspects, as well as to separate minors from adults.

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During the process, officials from the Nigerian High Commission visited and spoke with both the victims and suspects, urging them to cooperate with investigators.

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Mr. Dapilah assured the public that EOCO, in partnership with the CID, is working to safely reunite the rescued individuals with their families.

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“We are thinking that come what may by tomorrow, we should be able to complete the screening then barring any unforeseen circumstances it should be able for us to make arrangements for the victims to be sent back to Nigeria to connect with their families,” he added.

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He stated that EOCO and the CID have developed new plans to strengthen their collaboration. They will now share resources and coordinate operations more effectively to tackle human trafficking and cybercrime more aggressively.

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President John Dramani Mahama has extended invitations to the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to participate in the official launch of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations, set to take place in Accra.

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This announcement was made by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at a press briefing on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

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He described the invitation to the Sahelian states as part of Ghana’s broader efforts to rebuild relations and enhance cooperation for a stable and united West African region.

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The invitation comes months after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the expiration of a six-month grace period, confirmed by the bloc on January 29.

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As the regional body prepares to mark its golden jubilee, Ghana has been chosen to host the commemorative launch event at the Accra International Conference Centre on April 22, 2025.

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The Minister noted that the event aims to demonstrate both the historic achievements of ECOWAS and the bloc’s commitment to inclusivity, even amidst political tensions.

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“While the withdrawal of the AES nations presents a challenge to our cohesion, ECOWAS must respond with enhanced diplomacy and unwavering commitment to the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa,” Mr. Ablakwa said.

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Highlighting Ghana’s diplomatic outreach to its Sahelian neighbours, he noted that President Mahama’s efforts had already begun to yield results. Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, recently confirmed that the Burkinabe government agreed to release 23 trucks of beans that had been impounded during a ban on grain and cereal exports.

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“This Jubilee is not just a commemoration — it is a call to action. We must use this occasion to rekindle hope in the ECOWAS vision and chart a bold course for the next 50 years,” the Minister stressed.

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The April 22 event will bring together high-profile figures such as Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, along with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, various West African leaders, and international development partners. President Mahama will serve as the official host of the launch.

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As part of the ceremony, ECOWAS will reveal a new logo and announce the official theme for its 50th-anniversary celebrations, which will include a year-long calendar of events throughout member states.

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Following the launch, Ghana will also host an Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on April 22 and 23. Foreign and finance ministers from across the region are expected to deliberate on pressing matters, including the recent departures of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the bloc. A comprehensive report from the session will be presented to the Authority of Heads of State for further action.

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Mr. Ablakwa praised ECOWAS for its transformative impact over the decades, citing initiatives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the Brown Card Insurance Scheme, and major infrastructure efforts such as the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor and the West African Power Pool.

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“It is about the entrepreneur in Accra and Abidjan, the student in Lagos and Dakar, the peacekeeper in Banjul and Bissau — it is about people,” he emphasized.

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To ensure smooth planning, Ghana has formed a national committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the ECOWAS Commission. While the bloc will shoulder most of the costs, Ghana has pledged full logistical and security support for the celebrations.

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As the spotlight falls on Accra, Ghana’s leadership is expected to set the tone for a renewed push toward unity and development across the West African sub-region.

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