16 West African Victims Found in Toptown Apartment
Human trafficking victims rescued at Ngleshie Amanfro were discovered in a swift and strategic operation on July 24, 2025, by the Accra Regional Police Command. The 16 victims—comprising 12 males and 4 females—were found in a single residential apartment in Toptown after a nine-month search for a missing Ivorian teenager. The case has since revealed a broader regional trafficking network linked to a fraudulent recruitment company, Q-Net.
According to an official press release dated July 30 and signed by Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs (Accra Region), the victims were nationals of Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, deceived into traveling to Ghana under the pretense of securing high-paying jobs abroad.
Q-Net Recruitment Scam Exposed
The rescue followed a detailed complaint filed by the family of 17-year-old Chaka Kante, an Ivorian who went missing for over nine months. His family reported that he was trafficked to Ghana after being lured with promises of joining a football academy. A police team escorted the complainant to the suspected location in Toptown, where Kante and 15 other Human Trafficking victims were discovered, confined in a cramped apartment.
Preliminary investigations revealed that all Human Trafficking victims had been recruited through false advertisements by individuals allegedly affiliated with a company called Q-Net—a name repeatedly associated with similar scams across West Africa. The recruiters promised opportunities in Europe, including sports, education, and employment, only to exploit the victims upon arrival in Ghana.
“The victims were immediately rescued and are currently safe,” said Supt. Juliana Obeng in the official statement released by the Ghana Police Service.
Identities of the Rescued Victims
The full list of rescued Human Trafficking victims includes:
Ivorian nationals:
- Denbele Mohammed, 20
- Sawadu Razak, 20
- Olivier Yasei, 19
- Wilfred Kwako, 18
- Philbe Kwame, 25
- Kante Shamar, 19
- Kwame Lambel, 24
- Kone Musah, 24
- Lasnel Kante, 18
- Chaka Kante, 17 (missing complainant)
Burkinabé nationals:
- Sajor Dijala, 19
- Abass Jeril, 19
- Wadrago Alice, 22
- Nyamego Winkode, 22
- Santa Elodi, 23
- Oamba Fatooma, 22
The victims are currently being sheltered by the Ghana Police, and arrangements are underway for their profiling and repatriation in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service in line with immigration protocols.
Ghana Police Begin Investigations
The Accra Police Command has launched an investigation into the trafficking operation involving human trafficking victims. The perpetrators, suspected to be part of a transnational crime syndicate, are currently being tracked. Authorities have expressed determination to dismantle the recruitment and trafficking ring operating under the guise of Q-Net, which has previously been under scrutiny for similar activities.
a related case reported by MyJoyOnline earlier this year, another 16 victims were rescued in Ga South Municipalityfrom a similar setup, again linked to the Q-Net brand.
Ghana Immigration Service Begins Profiling
According to the police, the Ghana Immigration Service has been engaged to begin immediate profiling of the victims. This includes verifying identities, collecting testimonies, and determining the legal paths for repatriation to their respective countries.
The profiling process is key to ensuring the victims receive appropriate care, psychological support, and legal protection. It also allows Ghanaian authorities to collaborate with Interpol and immigration offices in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso to flag cross-border trafficking routes.
Public Warned Against Fake Job Offers
The Ghana Police Service issued a stern warning to the public, especially parents and guardians, to stay vigilant against deceitful recruitment agencies whose tactics have led many into becoming human trafficking victims. These scams often target youth in vulnerable communities using social media, word-of-mouth, and even church networks.
“We caution the public to be wary of these job schemes. Kindly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station,” the release urged.
This warning echoes previous alerts issued by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), which has been investigating recruitment scams using Q-Net’s name across the country.
Background: Human Trafficking Cases in Ga South
This is not the first time Ngleshie Amanfro has been flagged in a trafficking case involving human trafficking victims. In June 2025, Ghanaian police rescued another group of West African nationals from a safehouse in Peace Town, a neighboring area in the Ga South Municipality. Victims then also reported being stranded after being recruited under similar false pretenses.
In both cases, the modus operandi involved promising victims that they would transit through Ghana en route to Europe. Once in Ghana, the victims’ documents were seized, and they were coerced into participating in fraudulent online schemes.
The Q-Net company, which has often denied any link to these fraudulent agents, has been working with Ghana’s law enforcement to assist in clearing its name and preventing misuse of its brand. However, the recurrence of Q-Net’s name in these cases continues to raise alarms.
Community and Regional Response
Human rights organizations and immigration experts have lauded the rescue of the human trafficking victims but warned that this incident is only the tip of the iceberg. According to a 2024 report by UNODC, West Africa remains a hotbed for human trafficking networks due to weak border control, youth unemployment, and limited public awareness.
Community leaders in Ngleshie Amanfro have also expressed concern over the growing number of foreign nationals entering residential spaces without proper documentation or community engagement.
Next Steps for Repatriation and Legal Action
The Ghana Police and Immigration Service are working jointly with consular offices of Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Fasoto coordinate the victims’ safe return. Meanwhile, law enforcement has called on the public to volunteer any relevant leads to expedite the arrest of the trafficking ring leaders.
Legal experts expect charges to include:
- Human trafficking
- False pretense recruitment
- Immigration fraud
- Conspiracy to commit crime
The Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) of Ghana provides for a minimum sentence of five years imprisonmentfor convicted traffickers, with harsher penalties in cases involving minors.
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