Challenging Heights is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation in Ghana that works to protect children’s rights and end child trafficking. Founded by James Kofi Annan in 2005, the main efforts focus on addressing trafficking of children to Lake Volta, where they are forced to work in the fishing industry. They work in underserved coastal communities in Ghana, providing support to women and children in hard-to-reach areas that are at risk of child trafficking.
Mission Statement
To prevent child trafficking, reduce child slavery, and promote children’s rights.
Vision Statement
A country in which child trafficking is a thing of the past and children’s rights are celebrated.
Challenging Heights was founded by James Kofi Annan in 2005. James was trafficked to Lake Volta when he was 6-years-old and he spent seven years there in modern slavery. He managed to escape, return to his home in Winneba and put himself through school. While working as a bank manager, James saved up money to start Challenging Heights with the intent to prevent more children going through what he did and to rescue the children still working on Lake Volta. It started small, with Child Rights Clubs at schools in 2003. By 2005 he had saved up enough money to legally incorporate Challenging Heights as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and quit his job at the bank. Over the years, they have grown from Child Rights Clubs at schools to conducting a number of rescues each year and rehabilitating children at the shelter.
