Ghana is considered to be an oasis in an Africa marred by conflict and poverty. I was surprised to find that human trafficking was so common and that I didn't have to dig to do my research. I thought to myself that if Ghana had such a problem there is likely to be an even greater problem in neighboring countries. But this may not be the case. The US State Dept. recently said that as many as 50,000 people are trafficked into the US each year. Ghana has a very well written law on human trafficking and slave-like exploitation but struggles to enforce it. I think that in the US there are similar laws and efforts and no one wants to say the word "slavery." Trafficking in humans doesn't necessarily rely on abductions or long journeys in shackles. Todays slaves often make the trip themselves, coerced into thinking that a job waits for them, only to arrive and find it impossible to leave. Forced prostitution is the most common form of this phenomena in the US and the most lucrative aspect of human trafficking globally. However, children are also used in forced labor in agriculture and as I learned, fishing. Areas that have economic opportunity are likely to also find ways to cut costs to the 'bottom line.' Globalization and capitalism run amuck is the source behind treating people as disposable units. It is why there are more slaves today than during the Trans-Atlantic trade and they are available at a fraction of the cost. some fascinating reads on this subject are written by Dr. Kevin Bales, such as "Disposable People" and "Understanding Global Slavery." Also worth looking at are the organizations Anti-Slavery International, Free the Slaves and Stop the Traffik. This ugly side of the global economy exists not only because it is lucrative but because people don't know how to identify it or don't pay attention. One of the most common forms of slavery in the US is from domestic servitude and it often happens with people who are very well respected. Keep your eyes and ears open and get informed!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
My trip to Ghana
Ghana is considered to be an oasis in an Africa marred by conflict and poverty. I was surprised to find that human trafficking was so common and that I didn't have to dig to do my research. I thought to myself that if Ghana had such a problem there is likely to be an even greater problem in neighboring countries. But this may not be the case. The US State Dept. recently said that as many as 50,000 people are trafficked into the US each year. Ghana has a very well written law on human trafficking and slave-like exploitation but struggles to enforce it. I think that in the US there are similar laws and efforts and no one wants to say the word "slavery." Trafficking in humans doesn't necessarily rely on abductions or long journeys in shackles. Todays slaves often make the trip themselves, coerced into thinking that a job waits for them, only to arrive and find it impossible to leave. Forced prostitution is the most common form of this phenomena in the US and the most lucrative aspect of human trafficking globally. However, children are also used in forced labor in agriculture and as I learned, fishing. Areas that have economic opportunity are likely to also find ways to cut costs to the 'bottom line.' Globalization and capitalism run amuck is the source behind treating people as disposable units. It is why there are more slaves today than during the Trans-Atlantic trade and they are available at a fraction of the cost. some fascinating reads on this subject are written by Dr. Kevin Bales, such as "Disposable People" and "Understanding Global Slavery." Also worth looking at are the organizations Anti-Slavery International, Free the Slaves and Stop the Traffik. This ugly side of the global economy exists not only because it is lucrative but because people don't know how to identify it or don't pay attention. One of the most common forms of slavery in the US is from domestic servitude and it often happens with people who are very well respected. Keep your eyes and ears open and get informed!
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Ghana is considered to be an oasis in an Africa marred by conflict and poverty. I was surprised to find that human trafficking was so com...
2 comments:
I am so glad to hear someone else speak of the issues of human trafficking. I think many people do not even realize the extent of the problem, and those that do occasionally think of it, picture slaves in shackles. But the truth of the matter is, one does not have to look very far here in the US to find human trafficking victims. Human trafficking also refers to more than just an individual who is forced against his will; it also encompasses individuals who are threatened or coerced. For example, illegal migrants who work under cruel conditions and are threatened with deportation.
That is a good point. Coercion is a significant part of human trafficking and takes different shapes in different circumstances. In the US, people pay a lot of money to get across the border, sometimes up to the tune of $500-1000. This money isn't being paid by any employer. Many of the jobs they take, particularly in agriculture, regard 'payment' as a shack with a small plot to grow food on. This is getting to be less common than in the 1980s but still exists. Sexual exploitation and domestic servitude remain the key areas in which people are enslaved in the US and abroad, particularly children. Thanks for your thoughts.
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