The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has launched a major operation to remove undocumented foreign nationals allegedly involved in street begging across Accra, arresting over 2,200 individuals in a single day.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, targeted well-known begging hotspots, including Sabon Zongo, Nima, Abossey Okai, and Obetsebi Roundabout. According to official figures, 2,241 individuals were apprehended, comprising 909 adults (384 men and 525 women) and 1,332 children (577 boys and 755 girls).
Speaking to the media, ACI Michael Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs at GIS, stated that the crackdown is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks that exploit vulnerable migrants, especially women and children, for begging and other street-based activities.
In a statement released shortly after the arrests, the GIS confirmed the operation and emphasized its national security importance:
“The Ghana Immigration Service wishes to confirm an ongoing operation, commenced in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, aimed at addressing the presence of undocumented migrants on the streets of Accra and other cities.”
The statement further assured the public that all detainees are undergoing security and medical screening at the National Headquarters in Accra and will be treated in line with Ghana’s commitment to human rights and due process.
“They are currently being taken through the necessary processes, including security and medical screening… The Service assures all stakeholders and the general public that the detainees will be handled with the highest professionalism, with respect for their human rights.”
The operation has generated mixed public reactions. While some citizens have praised the move as timely and necessary, others have raised concerns about the treatment of the detainees, particularly children, and are calling for a more transparent and humanitarian approach as we advance.
The GIS has promised to provide further updates as assessments of the operation continue
