Police in Koforidua, in Ghana’s Eastern Region, have arrested 13 alleged commercial sex workers, including 12 Nigerian women and one Ghanaian woman, in a targeted operation against prostitution and suspected human trafficking.

The swoop followed a complaint from a 30-year-old Nigerian woman, identified as Stella Godwill, who told officers she had been trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana by her alleged “mistress,” named as fellow Nigerian national, Christabel Simon Monday. Godwill said she was brought into the country under the guise of better opportunities but was forced into sex work on arrival.

According to New Juaben South Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, Godwill reported that she was compelled to meet a daily sales target of 400 Ghana cedis from prostitution. On the day she lodged the complaint, she had earned only 250 cedis, which her mistress and the mistress’s boyfriend, identified as Simon Kwarteng, allegedly rejected before physically assaulting her.

Acting on the report, police investigators traced the suspects to Dabiasem, a suburb of New Juaben. There, officers arrested Christabel Simon Monday and uncovered what they described as a functioning brothel. A further 12 women were picked up during the raid, and officers said condoms and other items associated with commercial sex work were found on them.

Police also arrested a landlord accused of converting his property into a brothel and a bouncer believed to have been providing security for the operation. Investigators say the landlord allegedly charged each woman 25 cedis per day for accommodation in the premises.

In all, about 15 people, aged between 15 and 32, are in custody. Authorities confirmed that a minor among the suspects has been separated from the adults, with arrangements underway with the Department of Social Welfare to ensure her protection.

The suspects are believed to have breached Sections 273, 274 and 277 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which criminalise prostitution, human trafficking and the operation of brothels. Municipal Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustine Kusi Asante, warned landlords that renting out properties for such activities is an offence and urged the public to report suspicious behaviour.

Police say investigations are ongoing, with officers focusing on possible trafficking networks moving young women from Nigeria to Ghana under false pretences and forcing them into sex work once they arrive.