GIS apprehends 1,055 West Africans engaged in illicit activities

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has apprehended more than 1,055 people in an anti-human intelligence-led operation targeting exploitative street begging networks in the Greater Accra and the Ashanti regions.

The GIS also rescued many victims —- 662 children, 145 men and 248 women —in the operation that took place in the early hours of last Saturday, August 29, 2026.

It was targeted at criminal networks, allegedly using begging to traffic and exploit vulnerable foreign nationals, especially women and children.

Several Ghanaians were also apprehended on suspicion of their involvement in the exploitative begging networks as local agents.

Vulnerable

In a statement, the GIS mentioned key hotspots where the operation was conducted as Abossey Okai, Sabon Zongo, Madina Zongo Junction, Madina, Ashaiman and Tema, for the Greater Accra Region.

In the Kumasi Metropolis, the arrests took place in Asawase, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, Airport Junction and Aboabo.

The GIS said the significant number of minors rescued raised serious concerns about child vulnerability within exploitative begging systems, describing the development as part of a growing pattern of child trafficking for forced begging on Ghanaian streets.

Woman goes into labour

In the course of the operation, the GIS said a Nigerien woman, who had been apprehended, reported feeling unwell and was examined by the medical team assigned to the exercise.

The medical team discovered that she was in labour, after which she was transferred to a nearby medical facility where she was delivered of a baby girl.

The woman remains under medical observation and is receiving appropriate care.

Rescued victims

The GIS said all rescued persons had been transferred to a designated holding centre for profiling and immigration processing in line with established protocols.

“The Service is collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Gender, children and Social Protection, to ensure that victims, especially children, receive appropriate care, protection and support throughout the removal process,” the statement said.

The operation, according to the GIS, followed previous major enforcement actions and demonstrated its continued commitment to combating human trafficking, enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding the dignity and rights of persons within Ghana.

CGI

Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Samuel Basintale Amadu, has urged the public to refrain from giving alms directly to migrant beggars, especially children, saying, “Removing financial incentives reduces the profitability of organised begging and discourages traffickers from exploiting vulnerable persons on the streets.”

The GIS encouraged the public to channel any donations to vulnerable individuals through the Department of Social Welfare, recognised children’s homes, credible non-governmental organisations or other authorised charitable organisations.

Source: graphic.com.gh