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Ghanaian immigration officials have detained more than 2,000 undocumented foreign nationals in Accra, following a major operation targeting criminal networks and the rising incidence of street begging. The early Friday morning raids led to the arrest of 2,241 individuals, including 1,332 children, according to the Ghana Immigration Service.
In a statement, the agency said the operation was part of broader efforts to address growing concerns over organised street begging allegedly involving foreign nationals. Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, in a post on Facebook, said the crackdown was initiated to combat activities that “pose a national security risk and damage the image of our country.”
Mubarak noted that many of those detained had entered Ghana through “unapproved routes, bypassing essential immigration” procedures. The individuals apprehended primarily hail from neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso—currently under military rule—and Togo, with others originating from Nigeria and beyond.
Authorities have indicated that all detainees will undergo security and medical screenings prior to being repatriated to their home countries. Officials emphasized that the process would be conducted with full respect for human rights and in adherence to professional standards.
Public response to the crackdown has been mixed. John Gyamfi, a 43-year-old spare parts dealer, welcomed the move, calling it “long overdue.”
“Some of these foreigners engage in prostitution and street begging. It’s embarrassing—they come here and people assume they are Ghanaians, tarnishing the good name of Ghana. If they leave, the streets will be clean again,” he said.
However, some of the detained migrants cited humanitarian reasons for their presence in Ghana. Chamsiya Alhassan, a mother from Niger, spoke to AFP as she waited for transportation: “Finding food has become a problem for us. Our husbands and relatives have been killed. We are here only to find something to eat.”
The West African Sahel region continues to face escalating jihadist violence linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, forcing thousands to flee conflict-affected areas and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Ghana.
