The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has begun the repatriation of 2,241 foreign nationals arrested for engaging in street begging in Accra and other major urban centres across the country.
The large-scale operation forms part of a broader national effort to restore order in public spaces and dismantle networks allegedly involved in organised street begging.
As of Saturday, May 18, 2025, a total of 925 individuals—comprising 819 Nigeriens and 106 Nigerians—had been successfully repatriated to their respective home countries.
Remaining detainees undergoing processing
The remaining foreign nationals—largely from Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali—are still being held at designated GIS centres pending processing and repatriation.
Officials from the Immigration Service say the delay is due to careful profiling, intensive security screening, and the application of international protocols, including segregation based on age and gender.
“The repatriation is not just about moving people out. It is about doing it the right way—ensuring that everyone is properly identified, medically screened, and treated with dignity,” a senior GIS official told reporters in Accra.
To safeguard the welfare of detainees, the GIS has stationed medical personnel at its holding centres.
The GIS Clinic remains on standby to attend to any health-related emergencies, while basic needs such as food, water, and sanitation are being provided.
Management of the Service noted that these measures were crucial in maintaining humane conditions for detainees awaiting repatriation.
“We are mindful of our international obligations. This operation is being carried out with full respect for human rights and international best practices,” a GIS statement emphasised.
In a bid to avoid overcrowding at its National Headquarters Holding Centre, the GIS has temporarily halted further arrests.
The agency indicated that this pause is strategic and temporary, allowing officials to focus on processing those already in custody.
Despite the suspension, the GIS has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the operation in the coming weeks, with a renewed focus on addressing street-level crime and organised begging.
The Service expressed gratitude to the public and the media for their cooperation and support.
GIS officials appealed for continued collaboration, stating that community vigilance and responsible reporting are critical to the success of such national security initiatives.
“We ask that citizens continue to support this exercise. Maintaining order and ensuring public safety are shared responsibilities,” the Service said.
Operation to resume soon
The ongoing repatriation forms part of a wider strategy to curb urban disorder, reduce human trafficking risks, and deter exploitative begging rings that prey on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
GIS officials say the exercise will resume shortly, with plans to scale up the operation as resources and space become available.
The Ghana Immigration Service maintains that while the exercise is firm in its objective, it remains anchored in the principles of compassion, legality, and international cooperation.
