The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has stepped up efforts to address the growing concerns over the presence of foreign nationals engaged in street begging across major cities in the country, particularly in the capital, Accra.
In a press release issued from its National Headquarters, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Immigration Michael Amoako-Atta, the GIS provided an update on the Special Operation initiated to identify, detain, and repatriate foreign beggars as part of broader efforts to sanitise urban streets and curb associated criminal activities.
According to the release, a total of 2,241 foreign nationals have so far been rounded up and are being held at a designated Holding Centre.
The majority—2,073 of them—are from Niger, with others including 138 Nigerians, 28 Burkinabes, and one each from Guinea and Mali.
“All affected immigrants had to undergo profiling and security screening in line with Standard Operating Procedures. Immigrants were also segregated based on their gender and age, in line with international best practices.”
Ghana Immigration Service
According to the GIS statement, repatriation, which had originally been slated to commence on Friday, May 17, 2025, was delayed due to the extended nature of the screening and documentation processes.
However, the statement noted that on Saturday, May 18, the operation began in earnest, stating that as of the time of the release, 925 individuals had been successfully repatriated.
Of these, 819 were from Niger and 106 from Nigeria. No individuals from Burkina Faso, Guinea, or Mali had been repatriated at that time. The GIS assured the public that, throughout this exercise, it has been mindful of the welfare of detainees.
“Meals, among other needs of persons in detention, have been provided for by the Service,” the statement noted, adding that the GIS Clinic has been placed on standby to attend to any medical needs that may arise.
These measures, the Service said, are consistent with its core values of professionalism and respect for human rights. To avoid overcrowding at the Holding Centre, a temporary halt has been placed on further arrests.
Swoop Continues
Nonetheless, the GIS was quick to clarify that the operation has not been permanently suspended and will resume in due course. The agency reiterated that its approach remains firm but fair and underscored its commitment to conducting the operation humanely.
“The Special Operation is being conducted humanely in cognisance of the rights of all migrants,” the statement emphasised, in an apparent attempt to preempt criticisms from civil society and human rights advocates.
In recent times, the rise in the number of foreign nationals involved in street begging has raised considerable concern among city authorities and the general public.
Many have linked the phenomenon not only to urban disorder but also to wider security threats, including the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by transnational criminal networks.
There are fears that behind the scenes of visible street begging could be more sinister activities involving human trafficking and organised crime.
The GIS’s decisive intervention, therefore, has garnered significant public support, particularly from residents of Accra who have long complained about the increasing number of foreign beggars at intersections, markets, and public transport terminals.
Indeed, the GIS’s public posture reflects an awareness of the delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and upholding Ghana’s international obligations to treat all migrants with dignity.
In its communication, the GIS extended gratitude to all stakeholders, including the media and the general public, for their continued support.
“The Service wishes to request continuous collaboration and support from all stakeholders for the success of this exercise,” the statement read, hinting at future phases of the repatriation exercise.
The GIS reaffirmed its role as Ghana’s lead agency in migration management and border security and pledged to operate immigration systems that are both fair and firm.
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