The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repatriated 44 Ghanaians who were lured to Nigeria under the guise of opportunities linked to the QNET scheme.
The group—27 men and 17 women—arrived in Ghana by bus on March 20, 2026, after being rescued from suspected human trafficking camps in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Most of the victims left Ghana in December last year seeking better prospects but were intercepted during a Nigerian police operation.
Ordeal in Nigeria
One victim, who spent barely a month in Nigeria, recounted their arrest:
“The police officers were dressed in black and were wearing masks as though it was a kidnapping. Some of us were beaten in an attempt to resist, fearing that we were being kidnapped. I was traumatised,” he said.
Another reported spending four days in a private facility before being returned.
On recruitment, one woman said she paid GH¢16,000 for help securing a job in South Africa, while another man paid GH¢10,000. One female victim explained:
“I left Ghana in December last year, and I was told I’ll be sent to South Africa to work. However, arriving in Nigeria, I was given some health products to sell on a commission basis. Although I sold some, I couldn’t meet the mark to get any commission.”
She added that conditions were poor despite being fed twice daily, and regretted the financial loss, appealing for more job opportunities in Ghana to prevent risky migration.
Mixed reactions
Returnees expressed mixed feelings. Some thanked the government, while others lamented their financial losses and felt the venture could have been profitable.
Government caution
John Kwasi Boakye, Director of Consular Affairs at the Ministry, urged Ghanaians to beware of fraudulent recruitment schemes.
He said the Ministry is intensifying efforts against human trafficking and encouraged returnees to raise awareness:
“We also wish that our citizens would take this opportunity to be ambassadors for the fight against human trafficking and the activities of QNET. A lot is going on in our country. We can’t have these people recruiting Ghanaians and putting them under dehumanising conditions in other countries. No one should be a victim of this QNET scam in our country again,” Mr. Boakye said.
