GIS to crack down on street begging, unregistered migrants in Accra

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced plans to carry out a targeted enforcement operation in the Greater Accra Region this week, aimed at rescuing vulnerable individuals and addressing irregular migration.

In a media notice dated April 14, the Service said the exercise will involve a street sweep at selected locations, though specific areas have not been disclosed to protect “operational integrity and the safety of vulnerable populations.”

The operation will focus on “rescuing vulnerable populations, including children and distressed individuals, from exploitative begging activities,” while also seeking to “apprehend unregistered immigrants to ensure compliance with Ghana’s immigration laws.”

The Service said the initiative builds on feedback from a previous exercise and reflects its broader mandate to protect public welfare and enforce immigration regulations.

“This operation is an effort to highlight the Service’s commitment to protecting vulnerable Ghanaians, combating human trafficking, and maintaining orderly public spaces,” the statement said.

Signed by Maud Anima Quainoo, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration at the Public Affairs Department, the notice indicated that a comprehensive media release will be issued after the exercise.

The planned sweep comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to address street begging and human trafficking concerns, particularly in urban centres such as Accra.