1,332 children among 2,241 foreign beggars arrested in Accra swoop

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has arrested 2,241 foreign nationals during a coordinated operation to remove street beggars from key locations across Accra.
The exercise, which took place on the morning of Friday, May 16, targeted areas such as Kotoka International Airport, Madina, Kaneshie, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and Abossey Okai.
The swoop forms part of a broader effort to address illegal street begging and prevent potential security threats.
At a press briefing, the Head of Public Affairs for the GIS, Michael Amoako-Atta, confirmed that the operation resulted in the apprehension of 384 adult males, 525 adult females, 577 male children, and 755 female children.
“These individuals are currently undergoing profiling, and buses have been arranged to facilitate their repatriation once the process is complete,” he said.
The GIS stated that the growing presence of foreign street beggars, especially minors, poses both social and security concerns.
Authorities say the operation is intended to restore order in public spaces and ensure that migration laws are enforced.
According to officials, the profiling process will determine the nationalities of the arrested individuals and whether any of them have legal status to remain in Ghana.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the country’s internal security and managing migration in a humane and lawful manner.