Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, strongly condemns the distressing practice of young girls reportedly being coerced into exchanging sex for fish by fishermen in coastal communities within her constituency.
The investigative report by JoyNews revealed troubling trends of teenage girls in Half Assini, a community in the Jomoro District, facing exploitation by fishermen during abundant harvests.
Expressing her dismay in a statement shared on social media on February 13, 2024, MP Dorcas Affo-Toffey labeled the allegations as “very worrying and unacceptable.” She stressed that if proven true, such actions would severely violate the victims’ human rights and dignity, undermining shared societal values.
In response to the revelations, Affo-Toffey urged state authorities, including the Criminal Investigations Department and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, to swiftly investigate and ensure justice for all perpetrators. She also emphasized the need for proactive measures to address the root causes of vulnerability in coastal communities, proposing additional resources under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program.
Affo-Toffey committed to working closely with law enforcement and community leaders to monitor progress and implement strategies safeguarding vulnerable individuals, particularly young women and girls. The statement concluded with a resolute call for unity and collaboration within the community to combat exploitation and build a future characterized by security, prosperity, and respect for all residents of Jomoro.
