Last night 100 + people listened riveted to James Kofi Annan, a human rights defender from Ghana who works against child slavery. James, himself was sold by his father, when he was just 6 years old, to work as a slave in the fishing industry.

His first memory on arrival is being thrown off the boat and being told he had to find a way to get back to boat - he was too young to know how to swim, but managed not to drown.

James worked from 5am to 8pm at night on the boats. He was beaten every day and shamefully abused - hunger and torture became his daily companions. The slave owners preferred young children because they were easier to control .

Of the 6 children who worked with James, 3 died. Some children drowned when they were forced to go and untangle nets There was never a choice between saving a fishing net or saving a child. The fishing net cost US$200, the child US$40 for 2 years slavery.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, James finally escaped when he was 13 years old. His mother was delighted to see him but his father was very angry, because the income derived from James had been cut off.