Prostitution on Wheels: Time for Ghana to Reconsider its Laws

Prostitution remains a significant social and legal issue in Ghana, with many parts of the country witnessing open solicitation by young women, particularly at night. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of existing laws in addressing the issue. The Criminal Offences Act of 1960 criminalizes certain activities associated with prostitution, but the practice continues to thrive. Section 276(1) of the Act states that persistently soliciting or importuning in a public place for prostitution is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine not exceeding twenty-five penalty units for a first offence.

The laws in Ghana primarily target specified activities connected with prostitution rather than expressly criminalizing every consensual act of prostitution between adults. Section 274 of the Criminal Offences Act criminalizes knowingly living on the earnings of prostitution and exercising control over a person's movements for prostitution. Section 275 addresses persistent solicitation in public places, while section 277 deals with the keeping or management of brothels. Despite these provisions, prostitution appears to be flourishing in several communities. The question remains as to why the practice persists despite the existence of laws aimed at curbing it.

The Human Trafficking Act of 2005 provides a legal framework for dealing with persons involved in trafficking others for exploitation. Several reported cases demonstrate how Ghana's criminal justice system has responded to human trafficking and prostitution-related offences. In September 2026, the Accra Circuit Court sentenced Gift Chinyere Aminu, a 36-year-old Nigerian commercial sex worker, to seven years' imprisonment with hard labour for human trafficking and prostitution-related offences. This and other similar cases show that the courts have imposed substantial punishment in cases involving human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

However, it appears that comparatively less public attention is given to the independent offences of persistent public solicitation and other prostitution-related activities under the Criminal Offences Act. The successful prosecution of traffickers is commendable, particularly where vulnerable young women are deceived, coerced or exploited. Nevertheless, human trafficking and prostitution-related offences are legally distinct, and enforcing the laws against one should not necessarily mean overlooking the other.

The concern extends beyond criminal enforcement, with communities such as Madina REDCO, Ritz Junction, Lapaz, and Circle raising concerns about the effects of openly practicing prostitution. Residents have witnessed suspects fleeing during police raids, but little is sometimes heard about the outcome of the arrests, whether charges were brought or whether the suspects were eventually prosecuted. This raises questions about the consistency and practical impact of the laws.

In recent years, Ghana's courts have imposed substantial punishment in cases involving human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In October 2025, the Achimota Circuit Court sentenced Chukwudi Nwachukwu, a 29-year-old Nigerian, to ten years' imprisonment for trafficking his younger sister and nine other girls from Nigeria to Ghana for prostitution. The court also ordered him to compensate each victim with GH¢15,000. Similar cases demonstrate the commitment of the courts to addressing human trafficking and prostitution-related offences.

As Ghana continues to grapple with the issue of prostitution, it is essential to examine the effectiveness of its laws and their enforcement. The question remains as to whether the existing penalties are sufficiently deterrent and whether prosecutions for persistent public solicitation are being pursued consistently. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of prostitution and provides support to those affected by it may be necessary to effectively tackle the issue.

Key points

• The effectiveness of Ghana's laws against prostitution is questionable, with many parts of the country witnessing open solicitation by young women.
• The country's courts have imposed substantial punishment in cases involving human trafficking and sexual exploitation, but comparatively less attention is given to independent offences of persistent public solicitation.
• A comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of prostitution and provides support to those affected by it may be necessary to effectively tackle the issue.