Ghanaian immigration officials detained over 2,000 undocumented foreign nationals in Accra on Friday as part of an operation aimed at dismantling criminal networks and curbing street begging.
According to the Ghana Immigration Service, 2,241 people were arrested during early morning raids, including 1,332 children.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak explained on Facebook that the operation targeted the “growing concern of organized street begging involving foreign nationals,” warning that it posed a national security risk and damaged Ghana’s reputation.
Many of those arrested had entered Ghana through unapproved routes, bypassing official immigration controls. The majority came from neighboring Burkina Faso, which is under a military junta, and Togo, while some hailed from Nigeria.
The detainees will undergo security and medical screenings before being repatriated to their home countries. Authorities promised to handle the process professionally, respecting the human rights of those involved.
The crackdown received mixed reactions locally. John Gyamfi, a 43-year-old spare parts dealer, said the arrests were “long overdue,” noting that some foreigners were involved in prostitution and street begging, which he felt tarnished Ghana’s image. “If they leave, the streets will be clean again,” he added.
However, some migrants said desperation, not criminal intent, forced them to come to Ghana. Chamsiya Alhassan, a mother from Niger, told AFP she fled due to violence that killed her family. “We are here only to find something to eat,” she said.
The Sahel region continues to face increasing jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups, contributing to regional instability and displacement.
