ECOWAS has urged West African states to reduce poverty as a strategy to combat human trafficking.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its members to tackle poverty as a key measure in fighting human trafficking. The call came at the 17th Annual Review Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Network of National Focal Institutions against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+) on Monday in Lagos.
Dehunge Shiaka, Sierra Leone’s Anti-Trafficking Agency director, stressed that poverty remains a major factor driving trafficking. “Member states should educate their populations about measures they could take to protect themselves, especially those vulnerable groups and persons, from falling into the trap of traffickers,” he said.
Olatunde Olayemi, ECOWAS humanitarian and social affairs representative, noted that member states are implementing national development plans to reduce poverty, adding, “The current plan of action will continue till 2027.”
Josiah Emerole of NAPTIP urged practical actions like skill acquisition to address poverty. Delegates from 12 countries attended the five-day meeting.