THE INCREASING WAVE OF MODERN DAY SLAVERY: ITS EFFECTS ON AFRICA SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROWTH

Abstract

Modern day slavery has continued to raise its ugly head in Africa thereby undermining the socio-economic growth and development in the region despite efforts to eradicate it. Various forms of modern day slavery ranging from human trafficking, forced labour, forced marriage, sex work etc have continued to affect millions of Africans who were victims especially in Europe. This work, therefore, examines the effects of modern day slavery vis-a-vis African socio-economic growth and development. The methodology adopted is historical analysis and extensive review of data collected mainly from primary and secondary sources. The study argues that despite various efforts made by government and nongovernmental organizations towards curbing modern day slavery, yet it persist as a result of constraints arising from poverty, hunger, unemployment, greed, get-rich-quick syndrome and so on. The paper, therefore, recommends that effective border checks and control, adequate re-orientation and awareness on the dangers of modern day slavery should be properly emphasized in order to minimize or eradicate this monster.