Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ACCRA127
2008-01-23 15:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

GHANA AUTHORITIES RAID ACCRA BROTHEL

Tags:  KCRM KWMN ELAB PHUM PREL GH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAR #0127/01 0231537
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231537Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6024
UNCLAS ACCRA 000127 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/W; G/TIP; AF/RSA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN ELAB PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: GHANA AUTHORITIES RAID ACCRA BROTHEL

REF: ACCRA 107

UNCLAS ACCRA 000127

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/W; G/TIP; AF/RSA

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN ELAB PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: GHANA AUTHORITIES RAID ACCRA BROTHEL

REF: ACCRA 107


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On Saturday, January 19, Ghana police conducted
a raid of several brothels alleged to be involved in child
prostitution. Over 200 individuals were picked up in the raid.
Three "brothel agents" were arrested and held; the clients were
arrested and released on bail; the adult women were registered and
released without charge, and 15 minors with four babies are
currently in the Kodiabe shelter for protection. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On Saturday, January 19, at approximately 10:45 pm, the
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police
conducted a raid of several brothels near Kwame Nkrumah circle in
Accra. According to several reports, three "brothel agents" and 76
clients were arrested, although the clients were released on bail.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and
government sources, some 160 women and girls were brought to the
Medina Welfare facility for interviews with the Department of Social
Welfare (DSW) to determine age and to identify any trafficking
victims. All the females were Ghanaian. Those determined to be
adults were allowed to depart from the center without charge, and a
reported 4 minors disappeared from the center during the interviews.



3. (SBU) On January 21, the 15 remaining girls and their four
children were moved to the Kodiabe shelter, a permanent facility run
by a Catholic organization. For these 15 girls and their children,
it appears that the operation has provided necessary rescue and
assistance. This raid is reportedly the first time that these
Ghanaian government agencies have worked together to act against
child prostitution and trafficking in persons, and to provide
aftercare for the victims. At the same time, there were some gaps
in implementation, which may be attributed to the fact that this was
the first such effort in Ghana, and that the number of people
detained was three times the number anticipated.


4. (SBU) Several journalists, as well as the NGO Enslavement
Prevention Alliance, West Africa (EPAWA),have alleged that some
girls fled the Medina shelter due to inadequate care and security.

(Note: The government and some other stake holders were concerned
that the raid take place only when security and counseling for
victims were firmly in place.) EPAWA alleges that some 45 girls may
have been taken by pimps, or ran away. In contrast, Ghanaian
officials indicate that while four minors did disappear, the others
were determined to be adults and were released without charge.


5. (SBU) Several Ghanaian officials involved in the operation have
alleged that EPAWA leaked information about the raid and the shelter
to the press, jeopardizing the operation, possibly compromising the
identity of minors, and the safety of both the officers and girls.
IOM also indicates that EPAWA is not registered as an NGO to operate
in Ghana. (Comment: EPAWA has made no official contact with senior
officers at Embassy Accra to brief on this matter or share its
concerns or other information. End comment.)


6. (U) Given the smaller than expected number of minors in the
facility, IOM is working with GoG officials to revise the budget.
Based on preliminary estimates, the budget for three months of care
will be $36,000. IOM is providing about one third from the
PRM-funded Global Assistance Fund. UNICEF has not yet given formal
confirmation that they will provide funding, but is anticipated to
fund one third, leaving the remainder to be funded by the GoG.


7. (U) Psychosocial counselling was provided January 20 at the
Medina Shelter and will commence January 23 at Kodiabe. There are
currently four DSW staff and one MOWAC staff present there. Medical
care has been provided to two infants, and general physical
examinations and lab tests will be conducted for all of the girls on
January 26.


8. (SBU) In a January 23 conversation with Emboff, Ghana Police
Criminal Investigation Division Director General Frank Apo-Paku
complained that someone from the State Department called his cell
phone at 11:30 pm. He remembered the name "Taylor" and did not have
additional information. (Note: This is one of several occasions in
which direct contact from Washington to non-official USG individuals
in Ghana has created concern and confusion, and we request that such
contact be appropriately made in coordination with Embassy Accra so
as to maximize effective action against this problem and to minimize
problems. End Note.)


9. (SBU) COMMENT: Embassy is at present unable to confirm whether
EPAWA's allegations are correct that some 45 girls left the shelter,
or whether the GoG correctly assessed that those individuals were
adults and only four minors went missing. At this stage, the GoG is
concentrating on providing appropriate care for these minor victims.
Post and international organizations, including IOM and UNICEF, are
working together to insure that necessary support is provided to the
young girls. We will work with partners to help Ghana increase its
capacity to develop long-term plans to implement such operations in
the future to combat trafficking in persons and protect victims in a
sustainable, timely and effective manner. Embassy will also
continue to provide necessary training and support to encourage the
GOG to bring to justice to the full extent of the law, those who are
responsible for such activities. END COMMENT.

BRIDGEWATER