The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has apprehended 1,055 West African nationals—among them 662 children—in a major operation against organised street begging and suspected human trafficking networks in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.
The exercise, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, 2026, was aimed at rescuing vulnerable persons and dismantling criminal groups allegedly exploiting women and children through street begging. Of those removed, 662 were minors, 248 women, and 145 men. Several Ghanaian nationals suspected of serving as local agents for the networks were also arrested.
Operations in Accra targeted hotspots such as Abossey Okai, Sabon Zongo, Madina Zongo Junction, Madina, Ashaiman, and Tema, while in Kumasi, officers conducted raids at Asawase, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, Airport Junction, and Aboabo.
GIS noted that the high number of children involved reflects a disturbing trend of minors being trafficked and placed on the streets to solicit money. The Service emphasised that its intelligence-led approach seeks not only to enforce immigration laws but also to protect victims of trafficking and exploitation.
Authorities said the coordinated operation was designed to disrupt organised networks operating across multiple locations rather than simply remove individuals from the streets. Ghanaian suspects identified as local agents will undergo profiling and investigation to uncover how these networks function and who facilitates the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.
The GIS stressed that the exercise forms part of broader efforts to combat human trafficking, enforce immigration laws, and safeguard vulnerable persons across the country.
