Accra, May 16, 2025 – More than 1,000 street children and their guardians have been apprehended in a major operation by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) targeting hotspots in Accra in a move aimed at curbing child streetism, addressing illegal residency, and reinforcing national security.
The dawn operation on Friday covered areas including Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle, where large numbers of street beggars and child vendors have become increasingly visible.
Witnesses described the exercise as swift and coordinated, with immigration officers removing individuals from busy sidewalks and intersections. Many of those detained were women with children, suspected to be foreign nationals involved in begging or petty vending.
Clampdown on Child Exploitation and Urban Disorder
Immigration officials revealed that the sweep is part of a broader national effort to decongest urban centers and identify potential victims of trafficking, as well as illegal residents. Those found to be non-Ghanaians and in breach of immigration laws face repatriation after proper identity verification.
A source close to the operation told Citi News’ Fred Duhoe that the presence of street beggars, particularly foreign minors, has become a national security concern, with fears of organized begging syndicates operating within Ghana’s capital.
Public Support Amid Warnings from Child Rights Advocates
While many citizens have welcomed the initiative as long overdue, child welfare advocates have raised cautionary notes. Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, convener of the Coalition for Street-Connected Children Organisation (CSCCO), said the issue goes beyond law enforcement and points to a growing regional crisis.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on May 8, Dr. Tetteh observed that children from Chad and Niger are increasingly visible on Accra’s streets. “This has been with us since I was a child… but the issue has become worse than before,” she said.
She called for regional collaboration to address the transnational dimensions of child streetism, warning that some of these children may be victims of trafficking or exploitation by organised networks.
As immigration authorities continue their screening and verification process, the nation watches closely for the humanitarian and legal implications of this crackdown.
Source: Citi News
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