The merger of Abuse Relief Corps (ARC), a non-governmental organisation committed to fighting sexual abuse and child sex trafficking and Operation Underground Railroad Ghana (OUR-Ghana) has been officially launched.

The official merger between ARC and OUR, a US-based non-profit organisation with a mission to rescue women and children from trafficking and sexual exploitation was performed by former Gender Minister, Nana Oye Bampoe.

Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Bampoe who was the Guest Speaker called for a proactive stakeholder collaboration aimed at pushing for the rights of women and children against trafficking and exploitation.

She also said the issue of economic abuse otherwise known as ‘Chop money’ has become a thorny issue in the rights of women which ought to be tackled head on.

The founder or ARC, Robyn Jesse Ern while highlighting the impact of the work of his organisation over the past seven years since it has been operating, called for boldness in dealing with the canker.

He enumerated the prospects of the organisation’s future following the merger in helping to fight for the rights of abused and traffic Ghanaian women and girls.

The Global Chief Operations Officer of OUR, David Jacobs who was elated about the merger expressed his outfits commitment to ensure the new OUR Ghana operates effectively with adequate resources.

The Country Manager of the ARC, Fred Akweter explained that the union between the organisations has come at the right time.

The he said will go a long way to strengthen the crusade and the fight against sexual abuse and child sex trafficking in Ghana.

Focus

As part of its operations, Abuse Relief Corps over the years, has facilitated the quest for justice by survivors of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

It pays for the police medical report form of survivors and provides finances to ensure that survivors get access to post-assault care ARC.

It also provides continued support by offering transportation to and from courts, police stations and hospitals, and pay for all treatment costs.

The OUR founded in 2013 as a 501(c) non-profit organization, registered under the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America (USA), operates in various countries across the world.

It operates by supporting law enforcement and other government agencies through the transfer of equipment and knowledge and supporting local organizations to provide high-quality aftercare support to survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Donation

In its bid to strengthen institutions to work effectively, OUR-Ghana presented a total of 10 brand new laptops to the Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

Receiving the laptops on behalf of a police delegation, the elated DSP William Ayaragah thanked OUR Ghana and assured that the donation will be put to good use.

The event graced by various stakeholders into anti-human trafficking and sexual exploitation including law enforcement officials and officials of such other organisations from across the world.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Murtala Inusah