Ghana Detains Over 2,200 Undocumented Migrants In Crime Crackdown

Ghanaian immigration authorities have apprehended over 2,000 undocumented foreigners in Accra during a significant operation targeting criminal networks and street begging. Officials reported that the raids, conducted early Friday, resulted in the detention of 2,241 people, including 1,332 children.

In a statement, Ghana Immigration Services explained that the operation was part of wider efforts to tackle growing concerns about organized street begging, allegedly involving foreign nationals. Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, in a Facebook post, stated that the initiative was launched to address an activity that “poses a national security risk and damages the image of our country.”

Mubarak highlighted that many of the detained individuals had entered Ghana via “unapproved routes, bypassing essential immigration” procedures. The majority hailed from neighboring countries, such as junta-led Burkina Faso and Togo, with others coming from Nigeria and further afield.

Authorities intend to conduct security and medical screenings before repatriating the individuals to their home countries. Officials have committed to carrying out the process while fully respecting human rights, emphasizing their dedication to professionalism.

The operation elicited varied reactions from locals. John Gyamfi, a 43-year-old spare parts dealer, endorsed the action, describing it as “long overdue.” He stated, “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.”

Conversely, some detained migrants argued that their presence in Ghana stemmed from humanitarian needs rather than criminal intent. Chamsiya Alhassan, a mother from Niger, told AFP while waiting for a bus, “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 West African Sahel region has been facing increasing jihadist violence linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, compelling many to flee from conflict zones into neighboring countries like Ghana.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli