Immigration Service Shares Details Of Swoop On Street Kids, Over 2,000 Persons Detained

• The Ghana Immigration Service arrested 2,241 individuals as part of its operation to detain foreigners and street beggars
• The immigration service, 384 men, 525 women, 577 boys, and 755 girls were detained after the operation
• The detainees were screened at the Ghana Immigration Service National Headquarters in Accra ahead of their repatriation

The Ghana Immigration Service arrested 2,241 individuals as part of its operation to remove undocumented foreign nationals engaged in street begging across Accra.

The May 16 operation targeted known begging hotspots, including Sabon Zongo, Nima, Abossey Okai, and Obetsebi Roundabout.

According to the immigration service, 384 men were detained, 525 women, 577 boys, and 755 girls.

ACI Michael Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs at the service, told the press there were also concerns that criminal elements were involved in the street begging.

"As an institution responsible for migration, we thought it best to act against this menace, which impacts public safety."

The detainees underwent security and medical screening at the Ghana Immigration Service National Headquarters in Accra ahead of repatriation.

The service said it has had discussions with some embassies, which are cooperating.

Previous action to round up migrant beggars

In June 2022, the government collaborated with the Embassy of Niger in Accra to repatriate over 1,600 beggars to Niamey in Niger,

At the time, Daily Graphic reported that through a partnership with the government of Ghana, about 1,000 beggars, including children, had been mobilised for repatriation in accordance with the migration regulations of Ghana.

In December 2021, the Caretaker Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, led officials of the ministry to collect data on the street children and their guardians, lodgings, means of operation and the age range of children involved in begging for alms.

The step was to use data to take initiatives, as well as seek a partnership with the Nigerien Embassy in Ghana, to rid the streets of those beggars and to protect the well-being of the children.

In 2024, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection launched a five-year strategic plan for street-connected children and young persons.

The plan aims to address the multifaceted challenges faced by street-connected children and young persons through a comprehensive rehabilitation approach.

AMA plans decongestion exercise

The swoop occurred as the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is eyeing a decongestion exercise in the metropolis from Tuesday, May 20.

Accra Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive Michael Kpakpo Allotey said the operation will target traders and unauthorised structures on pavements.

At a press conference on May 15, Allotey said the Metropolitan Security Council would lead the operation.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has also been engaged in a decongestion exercise.

Drivers threaten to strike over congested roadsides

YEN.com.gh reported that commercial transport operators' notice of a strike threat from May 19, 2025.

They are protesting against traders operating on roads, pavements and bus stops.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union is one of the groups behind the protest.

The drivers want the government to enforce provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations Act, 2012, which prohibit such incursions on roads and pavements by traders.

Source: YEN.com.gh