A security analyst, Richard Kumadoe, has weighed in on the recent operation conducted by the Ghana Immigration Service, during which more than 200 immigrants were detained for security screening and possible repatriation.
While the exercise has received broad support from the general public, some social commentators have expressed concerns about the future of the immigrants, many of whom have already become integrated into Ghanaian society.
Speaking to the Vaultz News, Kumadoe emphasized that the presence of these immigrants presents not only a security challenge but also a threat to public safety and order. He maintained that the operation was justified and should not be negatively interpreted.
Mr. Kumadoe further noted that Ghana, like any sovereign nation, has the authority to uphold law and order. Any factor that undermines that responsibility, he said, should be considered a potential threat.
“Every country is a sovereign country, and people are free to travel everywhere, but when you travel, you don’t say the street is your address, nobody will allow you entry. To travel to their country, and they ask you, which address are you going to, and you say the streets, that one they would not agree.
“So, I don’t think we have any problem with any neighboring country, or sending them back will trigger anything between Ghana and their countries. Because they were living in the streets and nobody would allow them to come and live in the streets as your address.”
Richard Kumadoe
Meanwhile, the rising influx of immigrants entering the country through its borders has sparked important security concerns.
There have been growing calls for the government to secure Ghana’s land borders to ensure that all entries follow legal procedures.
Illegal Immigration Poses Drug, Safety Threat
Furthermore, Richard Kumadoe pointed out that many of the immigrants could serve as conduits for criminal activities if proper checks and measures are not put in place, similar to the recent action taken by the Ghana Immigration Service.
He further emphasized that their presence also raises issues related to public safety and sanitation. Additionally, he pointed out that these immigrants could potentially be exploited for illegal drug trafficking.
“They could be used by criminal gangs to create all manner of problems, they could be used as a channel of transporting and transmitting, and dealing in illegal drugs and illegal criminal activities. Immigration [service] has a full grip of what the difficulties are, and that might be one of the reasons why they went for them.”
Richard Kumadoe
Accordingly, Mr. Kumadoe, who supports the recent actions of the Ghana Immigration Service, argued that instead of criticizing the move—as some social commentators have done—attention should be directed toward the negative effects the immigrants’ presence has had on Ghanaian citizens.
There remains a divide among Ghanaians over whether these immigrants should be repatriated, with some viewing it as extreme given the ongoing insurgencies and instability in the Sahel region, where most of the immigrants originate.
However, Mr. Kumadoe maintained that this situation does not justify overlooking the security risks their presence may pose to Ghana and its citizens.
He further argued that despite the unrest in those countries, there are still people living and surviving there—an indication that those repatriated can also find ways to adapt and survive upon their return.
“But people are living there, people live in Burkina Faso, people live in Mali, their president was here and went back. Did you see them dead? They are living there, so that cannot be an excuse. That can definitely not be an excuse”.
Richard Kumadoe
Ghana has long been recognized as a hospitable and welcoming nation in Africa, and some critics argue that the decision to repatriate illegal immigrants could tarnish this global reputation.
However, Richard Kumadoe strongly disagreed with that perspective. He questioned whether conditions such as people living and relieving themselves on the streets could genuinely be considered a sign of hospitality.
To him, such arguments lack a realistic understanding of the situation and ignore the pressing public health and safety challenges posed by unregulated immigration..
“You don’t go to anybody’s country, they ask you where you are going to stay? And you say the street, and you ease yourself in the street, you become a conduit for criminal activities. That is not friendly.”
Richard Kumadoe
Just like other countries, Mr. Kumadoe believes every migrant should follow the necessary rules and guidelines if they are interested in moving to another country to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.
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