Over 500 Ghanaians, predominantly young individuals, are reportedly being held against their will in various isolated locations across Côte d’Ivoire by a sophisticated cross-border trafficking and scamming network operating under the name QNET.
The alarming revelation was made to Parliament by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who described the situation as a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis.
Hon. Ablakwa disclosed how the syndicate operates across West Africa, extending its reach into Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. The modus operandi involves enticing Ghanaians with promises of lucrative jobs or opportunities to travel to countries like France and Canada.
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Victims are then lured into Côte d’Ivoire, only to be held captive. Shockingly, the Minister revealed that many of the individuals orchestrating these elaborate fraudulent schemes are Ghanaians who were themselves initially victims.
“These scammers promise jobs abroad, demand initial payments of up to GH₵20,000, and then instruct the victims to travel to Côte d’Ivoire to complete the process,” Hon. Ablakwa stated during his response to an urgent question posed by the MP for Amenfi West, Eric Afful.
Several communities in Côte d’Ivoire have been identified as key hotspots for QNET activities, including Bondoukou, Abengourou, Daloa, Gagnoa, Man, and specific areas within Abidjan such as Yopougon and Bingerville. A disturbing aspect of the syndicate’s control is the coercion of victims into recruiting their family members and friends to secure their eventual release.
Despite the perilous circumstances, Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan, in collaboration with Interpol and Ivorian law enforcement agencies, has made significant strides in rescuing and repatriating victims. Between 2021 and the first quarter of 2025, 230 Ghanaians have been successfully brought back home. Notably, over 30 victims were rescued in just the first three months of 2025. Hon. Ablakwa also underscored the efforts of Ghana’s missions in Nigeria, which have rescued an additional 202 Ghanaians (78 through the Abuja mission and 124 through the Lagos mission).
The Minister acknowledged the considerable difficulty in determining the precise number of Ghanaians still trapped in Côte d’Ivoire due to the secretive methods employed by the traffickers. “The victims often arrive silently in Côte d’Ivoire, making it extremely difficult to track them. In most cases, we only receive information through relatives or community leaders,” he explained.
In a proactive move to tackle this growing menace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is spearheading a comprehensive national sensitisation campaign focused on safe migration practices and the dangers of human trafficking. This crucial campaign, targeting youth and vulnerable populations, is scheduled to commence by September 2025. Hon. Ablakwa informed Parliament that two stakeholder meetings have already been convened, with a third slated for later this month to finalise the campaign’s details.
Furthermore, the government is actively engaged in negotiating bilateral labour agreements with several countries, including Kuwait, Germany, Italy, and Qatar. This initiative aims to create legitimate and secure employment pathways for Ghanaians seeking opportunities abroad.
Hon. Ablakwa appealed to the public, urging vigilance against the evolving tactics of QNET and other criminal networks and emphasising the importance of public awareness. “The proliferation of social media platforms continues to aid these fraudsters, making our job more challenging. We appeal to all Ghanaians to be cautious and help spread the word about these criminal networks,” he said.
He commended the support provided by the Ghanaian community in Côte d’Ivoire and reassured the House that the Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to securing the rescue and safe return of all Ghanaian citizens who have fallen victim to this ruthless trafficking syndicate.