CHRAJ, CRI condemn GIS over evacuation of migrant beggars

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is facing growing criticism over its recent operation to remove migrant beggars from the streets of Accra.

While the initiative was intended to curb potential unlawful activity, it has drawn backlash from rights advocates who say the approach may have breached both local and international legal standards.

Two key organisations—the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and Child Rights International (CRI)—have voiced concerns about the exercise. Although both acknowledged the effort to address street begging, they cautioned that the operation risked undermining Ghana’s obligations to protect all individuals within its borders, including undocumented migrants.

GIS, however, insists its actions were carried out according to existing protocols. The Service said the removals were in line with national security goals and conducted “humanely, professionally and lawfully,” adhering to international best practices.

CHRAJ, in a statement signed by its Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Whittal, warned that the operation might have tarnished Ghana’s image and worsened the vulnerability of those affected.

“It is, however, important to emphasise that under Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution, as well as ratified international human rights instruments, including International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their families and the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, Ghana's human rights obligations also extend to these undocumented migrants,” the statement read.

CHRAJ called for a more measured approach, recommending repatriations be handled individually, with dignity, and without breaching the international principle of non-refoulement. The Commission also urged authorities to ensure gender-sensitive responses that protect women and children.

“The Commission proposes that a more sustainable intervention through interstate cooperation between Ghana and relevant states be strengthened to effectively address any migration related issues going forward,” it added.

Meanwhile, Child Rights International has raised alarm over the operation’s impact on children, who reportedly made up over 60 percent of those affected. Speaking at a press briefing, the NGO's Executive Director, Bright Appiah, said that while clearing children from the streets was necessary, the method used was deeply flawed.

“Once you get Ghana Immigration Service, then the intention is that they are getting rid of these children because they feel that they have breached the immigration law. And that is where we also come in.

We think that the issue at stake goes beyond breach of immigration law. It's also a social protection matter," Mr Appiah emphasised.

He further criticised the implication that children were treated as illegal immigrants simply by association with their parents.

“So you cannot say that they are in the company of their parents, so you give them the treatment as you give to their parents. You need to give them special treatment,” Mr Appiah added.

CRI proposed a range of measures including the collection of bio-data, individual case assessments, and proper tracking of needs to ensure children receive adequate care. They also called for formal repatriation protocols and enhanced monitoring at the borders.

“These steps are critical not only for ensuring due process but also for preventing future re-entry or re-victimisation. Failure to follow such protocols risks pushing these children further into the margins of society, leaving them unprotected and vulnerable,” he said.

Dr. Daniel Kipo-Sunyehzi, a Senior Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, also weighed in, warning of possible diplomatic fallout. He noted that many of the migrants hailed from ECOWAS countries, whose citizens enjoy freedom of movement within the region.

He urged the government to act with caution, noting that “unilateral removals” perceived as discriminatory could provoke retaliation against Ghanaians living elsewhere in West Africa.

To avert such tensions, Dr. Kipo-Sunyehzi advised authorities to engage with the embassies of affected countries and allow them to oversee the process.

He said such diplomatic collaboration would ensure “the process was transparent, respectful and aligned with both domestic and international obligations.”