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Ghanaian police have arrested a woman at Kotoka International Airport in Accra after she was found attempting to take a nine-year-old girl out of the country.

Authorities identified the suspect as 36-year-old Regina Mamle Tawiah, who was detained on Sunday, 19 April. The arrest followed a report from the child’s father, who had alerted police that his daughter was missing from Agormanya Zongo in the Odumase-Krobo District. Acting on this information, officers, working with the Bureau of National Investigations, traced Tawiah to the airport and intercepted her before departure.

Police said initial findings indicate the child was being taken to Kenya. It is not yet known whether Kenya was the intended final destination or part of a wider trafficking route. The girl has since been safely returned to her family.

Tawiah appeared before the Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court on Monday, where she entered a plea of not guilty. The court remanded her in custody, and she is due to appear again on 5 May for a case management hearing.

The case reflects ongoing concerns about human trafficking across West and East Africa. Children are often targeted for forced labour and other forms of exploitation. Ghanaian authorities have reported similar incidents in recent years and have responded by strengthening border controls and working more closely with international partners.

At a global level, the United States Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons report continues to assess national efforts to combat modern slavery. The 2025 report recorded setbacks in Brazil and South Africa, both of which were placed on the Tier 2 Watch List. Kenya remained on Tier 2, indicating some progress alongside continuing challenges.

Security agencies across the region are increasing cooperation to disrupt trafficking networks, particularly those operating between West Africa, East Africa, and other regions. Investigators in this case are examining whether Tawiah acted alone or was part of a larger organised group.

Authorities have emphasised the need for sustained cooperation, public awareness, and continued enforcement to reduce the risk of child trafficking.