The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has arrested 2,241 foreign nationals, including over 1,300 children, in a major operation aimed at curbing street begging in the capital city.
The intelligence-led exercise was conducted in the early hours of Friday, 16th May 2025, and targeted hotspots such as Sabon Zongo, Nima, Abossey Okai, and the Obetsebi Roundabout, among others.
According to a press release issued by the GIS, the operation sought to humanely repatriate undocumented foreign nationals and dismantle criminal networks facilitating street begging in the city.
Out of the total number of detainees, 909 are adults (384 males and 525 females), while children account for 1,332 (577 males and 755 females).
The Service indicated that all detainees are currently undergoing the necessary procedures, including security checks and medical screening at the GIS National Headquarters in Accra.
“The Service assures all stakeholders and the general public that the detainees will be handled with the highest professionalism, with respect for their human rights,” said M. Amoako-Atta, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration and Head of Public Affairs.
The operation underscores the GIS’s commitment to controlling undocumented migration and maintaining public order, especially in urban centres where street begging has become a growing concern.
