Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has confirmed that government efforts have led to the rescue and repatriation of 400 Ghanaians who were trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo through the operations of the fraudulent QNET network.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, July 23, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that over 500 Ghanaians remain stranded in Cote d’Ivoire, while 202 others are still in Nigeria.
Most victims, aged between 20 and 40, had been deceived with promises of travel opportunities to countries like France, Canada, Belgium, and Qatar.
They reportedly paid between GH¢18,000 and GH¢40,000 to scammers for supposed documentation and visa assistance.
The update was in response to an urgent question posed by Pru East MP, Kwaku Buah, who sought clarification on government interventions.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that Ghana’s missions abroad are working with Interpol and local immigration officials to rescue more victims and trace the perpetrators.
While no arrests have been made yet, he urged Ghanaians to report credible leads that could aid in bringing the fraudsters to justice.
To prevent future incidents, the Minister announced that his Ministry, in partnership with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), will launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign starting September 2025.
He also appealed to MPs to educate their constituents, warning that awareness is the best defence against these deceptive schemes.
