Ghana Detains Over 2,000 Undocumented Migrants in Crackdown on Street Begging and Criminal Networks
In a sweeping immigration enforcement campaign, Ghanaian authorities have detained over 2,000 undocumented foreign nationals in Accra, the nation’s capital. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Friday, is part of a larger government initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration, dismantling alleged criminal syndicates, and reducing street begging in urban centers.
According to a statement released by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the coordinated raids led to the arrest of 2,241 individuals, of which 1,332 were children.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other national security agencies, underscoring the government’s growing concern over what it perceives as a worsening trend of organised illegal activities involving non-citizens.
Ghana’s Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, took to social media to explain the rationale behind the operation, asserting that the presence of undocumented migrants—many of whom engage in street begging and informal trade—has escalated into a national security threat. “The campaign was launched to counter an activity that poses a national security risk and damages the image of our country,” Mubarak stated on Facebook.
He emphasized that many of the apprehended individuals had entered Ghana through illegal or unapproved entry points, thereby bypassing official immigration procedures. This, he said, undermines Ghana’s border control systems and facilitates the movement of individuals whose intentions and backgrounds remain unknown to authorities.
Most of those detained hail from neighboring West African countries, particularly Burkina Faso—currently under a military junta—Togo, and Nigeria. A smaller number reportedly originate from other parts of Africa. Authorities believe that some of the migrants were part of informal networks involved in unregulated street vending, begging, and in some cases, illicit activities such as petty theft and prostitution.
Ghanaian officials have announced that all detained individuals will undergo rigorous security screening and medical examinations before being repatriated to their respective home countries.
The Immigration Service has assured the public and international observers that the repatriation process will adhere to international human rights standards, and that vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, will be handled with care and professionalism.
The crackdown has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians. Some residents and business owners have expressed strong support for the government’s actions. John Gyamfi, a 43-year-old spare parts dealer in Accra, said the operation was necessary.
“It’s long overdue,” he told local media. “Some of these foreigners engage in prostitution and street begging. It’s embarrassing: they come here and people think they are Ghanaians, and they embarrass the good name of Ghana. If they go, the streets will be neat again.”
On the other hand, critics and humanitarian advocates have urged a more nuanced understanding of the migrants’ plight. Many of those detained argue that their presence in Ghana is driven not by criminal intent but by dire humanitarian conditions in their home countries.
Chamsiya Alhassan, a mother from Niger who was among those detained, shared her story with journalists: “Finding food has become a problem for us. Our husbands and relatives have been killed. We are here only to find something to eat.”
The wave of undocumented migration into Ghana has been fueled in part by the growing instability in the Sahel region, where extremist violence linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State has devastated communities. Countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have witnessed increasing displacement as a result of terrorism, armed conflicts, and deteriorating economic conditions.
Ghana, regarded as one of the more stable nations in West Africa, has become a refuge for many fleeing violence. However, the influx has put pressure on local resources and stirred debates about national identity, security, and economic competition.
While the government’s latest operation is one of the largest of its kind in recent years, authorities have hinted that similar crackdowns may continue as part of a broader immigration and national security strategy. Civil society organizations have urged the government to balance enforcement with compassion and ensure that vulnerable migrants, especially children, are not subjected to undue hardship.
As the region grapples with complex challenges ranging from insurgency to economic hardship, Ghana faces the dual task of safeguarding its borders while upholding its humanitarian commitments under regional and international law.