A new Civil Society Coalition Against Transnational Organized Crime (GHCso-TOC) was launched in Accra this week, with experts and traditional leaders warning that the threat of transnational crime in Ghana requires coordinated, multi-disciplinary action and stronger institutional independence.
The national launch brought together civil society groups, government agencies, financial institutions, traditional authorities, and youth advocates to commit to joint action against crimes ranging from human trafficking and financial fraud to illegal mining and cross-border smuggling.
Professor Caesar Apentiik said no single institution can tackle transnational crime in isolation and urged collaboration across law enforcement, financial regulators, government agencies, and mental health professionals.
“We need law enforcement, financial institutions such as the Bank of Ghana, government agencies and psychologists the problem is multidimensional and requires a multi-dimensional solution,” Prof. Apentiik told delegates.
He warned that political interference and partisan protection of suspects continue to undermine accountability. Responding to concerns about leaks and political affiliations within investigatory agencies, he said politicizing crime “risks mortgaging the future.”
“Crime has no color,” he insisted. “The rule of law must be upheld irrespective of political allegiance.
Prof. Apentiik also stressed the need for an independent judiciary free from political manipulation to ensure fair prosecution. He called on political parties to distance themselves from criminal elements within their ranks and urged young people and NGOs to demand accountability.
“Ghanaians are getting to a point where young people are saying, ‘Enough is enough,’” he said, describing public pressure as a vital catalyst for institutional reform.
Togbe Adze II
Togbe Adze II, Chairperson speaking at the forum, linked illegal mining, or _galamsey_, to transnational organized crime and a growing public health emergency.
“The menace of Galamsey is not lost on any of us at all. Adults, children, leaders, every sector of this country are concerned,” he said.
Togbe Adze II cited reports of birth defects in infants born to parents in mining areas, linked to chemicals used in illegal mining, and the rising cost of water treatment due to polluted sources. He added that the problem has a *transborder dimension, with gold from illegal mining allegedly smuggled across borders and foreign nationals involved.
As traditional rulers, he said, “protecting the environment which we all depend on should be our utmost responsibility. Everything that nature has given us to enable us thrive on God’s good earth must see protection from the hands of a traditional ruler.”
He urged chiefs to educate their communities and serve as role models for youth, and called on young people to “build their character, obey the laws of the country, and stay home to contribute to national development” instead of seeking “greener pastures” abroad due to hardship.
Princess Yanney
Princess Yanney, member and Southern Partner said the coalition follows a national online forum held on *July 30, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons*, themed _“Trap Behind The Scam.”_ The forum examined how victims are sometimes forced into crime and how the line between victim and offender gets blurred.
She announced that 9 institutions have agreed to work together under the coalition, including the *Ghana Red Cross, Ghana Immigration Service, and Bank of Ghana*. The group will sign a declaration to formalize the partnership.
“After today it is not going to end with just talking. We are going to have actionable steps. The media will be engaged, and we will ensure proper institutions are functional to address trafficking,” Princess Yanney said.
The coalition will document discussions and recommendations from the launch and follow up with initiatives to close gaps in recruitment, trafficking, and organized crime.
“People are trying. So how about we see how it actually goes when all the proper efforts are put together,” she added.
Organizers said the coalition will prioritize *advocacy, capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration to address both systemic and human impacts of criminal networks. With Ghana facing challenges from illegal mining and land conflicts to sophisticated financial crimes, stakeholders framed *collaboration, judicial independence, and political accountability as prerequisites for progress.
The coalition encouraged the public and media to follow its communications and engage with local NGOs leading the initiative.
The Civil Society Coalition Against Transnational Organized Crime aims to serve as a platform for coordinated civil society action to support law enforcement and strengthen community resilience against transnational criminal networks.
