When the BBC Africa Eye team released their exposé on Kenya’s Child sex trade in Maai Mahui, Kenya, on August 14, the Kenyan government labeled it as a hoax. In that same week, TV3 Ghana, a news agency and television station in Ghana, released their exposé dubbed, ‘Stolen Innocence: Uncovering Sexual Abuse in Ghana’s Schools.’
Is it a hoax? Are our girls safe? Are these evil predators and inhuman perpetrators of this condemnable act not living right under our noses? It is both shocking and sickening that in 2025, human beings are still traded as commodities. From the classroom to the church and even to the crib, evil men and women are committing heinous crimes, sickening crimes against our children. These men and women have no place in our community, and we all bear a shared responsibility not only to speak against it, but to act quickly and report any signs of the abuse or trafficking to the authorities. Yes, report it. We know some of these faces. There are people out there who know friends and relatives involved in this act and our silence makes us accomplices.
From the Global Slavery Index, the continent makes up 14% of human trafficking globally. In other words, 7 million people in Africa are victims in one form or another to human trafficking. In one report by the United Nations, it was found as many 3 out of every 4 victims of human trafficking in West Africa were children.
So, I ask again. Is it a hoax? Are silent accomplishes with our inactions?