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Why Ghana Immigration Service has suspended arrests of migrant beggars after repatriating 925

  Wed, 21 May 2025
Social News Why Ghana Immigration Service has suspended arrests of migrant beggars after repatriating 925
WED, 21 MAY 2025

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has temporarily paused its nationwide operation aimed at arresting foreign nationals involved in street begging, citing overcrowding at its detention centre in Accra.

According to the GIS, the suspension is to “avoid congestion at the Holding Centre at the National Headquarters,” where hundreds of recent detainees are currently being processed for repatriation.

The operation, which targeted areas in Accra and other urban centres, has so far led to the arrest of 2,244 individuals, the majority of whom are from Niger. Of that number, 925 have already been deported—819 to Niger and 106 to Nigeria.

Due to limited capacity at its holding facilities and the intensive nature of the screening process, the GIS says it is unable to accommodate further arrests at this time. Each detainee must undergo biometric profiling, security vetting, and be segregated by age and gender in accordance with international standards.

“The Special Operation is being conducted humanely in compliance [with] the rights of all migrants,” the Service said in a statement, adding that food, healthcare, and other basic necessities are being provided to those still in custody.

The GIS reassured the public that the operation remains ongoing in principle and will resume “in due course” once logistical challenges are resolved. The Service reiterated its goal to “rid the streets of beggars and clamp down on criminal networks.”

While the operation aims to enforce immigration laws, it has also drawn attention to the widespread presence of foreign economic migrants, especially from neighbouring West African countries, in Ghana’s informal street economy. Over 92 percent of those detained so far have been Nigerien nationals.

Authorities are urging continued collaboration from stakeholders, including civil society, the media, and the general public, to address the issue in a coordinated and humane manner.

The GIS did not indicate how long the pause would last but stressed that its commitment to upholding human rights and international standards remains unchanged.

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