RismadarVoice Reporters, February 11, 2026
Operatives of the New Juaben South Municipal Police Command in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana, have arrested 13 suspected commercial sex workers: 12 Nigerians and one Ghanaian during a special operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking.
Police also apprehended two additional suspects, including a landlord accused of providing accommodation for the activities and a bouncer allegedly linked to the operation.
According to local news outlet Modern Ghana, the arrests followed a complaint filed on February 6, 2026, by a 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Stella Godwill. She alleged that she was trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana by a woman identified as Christabel Simon Monday for the purpose of prostitution.
The Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, said the complainant told authorities she was required to meet a daily earnings target of 400 Ghana cedis but managed to raise only 250 cedis on the day in question. She further alleged that her supposed trafficker and the latter’s boyfriend, identified as Simon Kwarteng, assaulted her for failing to meet the target.
Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and moved to Dabiasem, a suburb of New Juaben, where Monday was arrested. Further investigations led officers to a suspected brothel in the area, resulting in the arrest of 12 additional suspects. Condoms were reportedly recovered during the operation.
“Last Sunday, we received a complaint from another Nigerian lady that she had been assaulted by her mistress, whom we normally call a ‘queen mother.’ The assault happened because she could not meet the daily target of GH¢400 set by the queen mother,” Superintendent Nsiah said.
He added that officers also arrested a man who allegedly converted his property into a brothel and charged occupants GH¢25 per day.
According to police, about 15 suspects aged between 15 and 31 are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded. Authorities confirmed that a minor among those arrested has been separated for protection, with arrangements being made in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Augustine Kusi Asante, the Municipal Crime Officer, warned landlords against renting properties for illegal activities. He noted that Section 277 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960, criminalises operating a brothel and prescribes penalties including fines or imprisonment.
Police said the suspects are being investigated for alleged violations of Sections 273, 274 and 277 of the Act, which address prostitution, human trafficking and brothel operations.
Authorities expressed concern over the involvement of minors in commercial sex activities and urged members of the public to provide credible information to help dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable persons.
