The New Juaben South Municipal Police Command has arrested 15 females, including minors, in a major operation targeting alleged sex trafficking and organised prostitution in parts of Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The arrests followed a complaint lodged by a commercial sex worker who reported being physically abused after failing to meet a daily financial target imposed by her trafficker and boyfriend. The case prompted swift police action, leading to a broader intelligence-led operation that uncovered an organised network involving traffickers, landlords, and facilitators of commercial sex activities.
The suspects, aged between 15 and 35 years, were picked up during coordinated raids conducted by officers of the Municipal Police Command. According to police, some of the individuals are believed to be victims of trafficking rather than voluntary participants, and investigations are ongoing to determine their specific circumstances and levels of culpability.
Abuse Complaint Triggered Police Action
Briefing journalists at the Central Police Station in Koforidua on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the New Juaben South Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, explained that the operation began after police received a distress report from a young woman involved in sex work.
He disclosed that the complainant, a foreign national, alleged that she was assaulted by her trafficker—referred to within the group as a “queen mother”—for failing to meet a daily sales target of GH¢400. The abuse, according to police, highlighted the exploitative and coercive conditions under which some of the women were operating.
“Last Sunday, we received a complaint from a Nigerian lady who stated that she had been beaten by her mistress because she could not meet the daily target imposed on her,” Superintendent Nsiah said.
Landlords Implicated
The subsequent police operation led to the arrest of not only the women but also some landlords who had allegedly converted residential properties into makeshift brothels. These landlords are accused of knowingly renting out rooms for prostitution and charging the women a daily fee of GH¢25.
Superintendent Nsiah revealed that one of the suspects had deliberately constructed a building solely to house commercial sex workers and profit from their activities.
“We also arrested a man who built a house and turned it into a brothel. The women live there, and he collects GH¢25 per day from each of them,” he stated.
Police say such arrangements contribute to the entrenchment of human trafficking and organised prostitution, particularly when property owners prioritize profit over the safety and welfare of occupants.
Minors Found Among Arrested Persons
One of the most disturbing aspects of the operation, according to police, was the discovery that some of the individuals involved were underage. The Municipal Commander confirmed that at least one 15-year-old was among those taken into custody, raising serious child protection concerns.
The Municipal Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Asante Kusi Augustine, expressed deep concern about the growing involvement of minors in commercial sex activities in the municipality.
He described the situation as alarming and called for stronger community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
“The involvement of children as young as 15 in these activities is worrying. We appeal to the public to provide information that can help us identify traffickers and protect vulnerable young people,” ASP Asante Kusi said.
Next Steps and Police Warning
Police indicated that all suspects currently in custody will be processed and arraigned before court in accordance with the law. Where minors are identified as victims of trafficking, appropriate child protection and social welfare agencies are expected to be involved.
Superintendent Nsiah issued a strong warning to landlords and individuals facilitating prostitution and human trafficking, urging them to desist or face immediate arrest and prosecution.
He reaffirmed the Police Service’s commitment to intensifying operations against sex trafficking, prostitution rings, and related criminal activities in Koforidua and its surrounding communities.
The police have also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation remains critical in dismantling trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable women and children from abuse and exploitation.
Source: Africa Publicity
