Ghana Immigration Service arrest multiple undocumented migrants in Accra operation

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced the detention of several undocumented migrants in the wake of a coordinated efforts across key locations in Accra on Friday, May 16, 2025.

The coordinated morning operation was directed at known hotspots for street begging and informal trading, including Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

As per a statement issued by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), M. Amoako-Atta, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration and Head of Public Affairs, stated that the operation was designed to deal with the issue of undocumented migrants.

The statement emphasized that “We are currently assessing the outcomes of the operation and will provide further details to the public in due course,”

The operation, which necessitated the deployment of a significant number of uniform personnel, focused on individuals believed to be not legally authorized to reside. Eyewitnesses reported a swift and organised effort by immigration personnel who interacted with individuals suspected upon undocumented migrants before leading them to official vehicles. A significant number of among those arrested were women and children believed to be non-citizens. This operation forms part of the sustained effort by national security and immigration authorities to reduce child labor on the streets, combat unauthorized residency, and deal with broader public safety concerns in urban centres.

As per the local observers, the streets of Accra have seen a visible increase in the number of street children and beggars, many of these individuals operate within heavily trafficked areas, often with children in their care.

While the full details of the operation are yet to be released, Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has encouraged the public to remain calm as it undergoes a thorough review of the results of the arrests and develops a plan for the next step. The service has also given assurance that a detailed briefing will be presented after the preliminary assessment is complete.

As immigration enforcement steps up efforts in the capital, the development is set to is likely e to stimulate public engagement around the management of undocumented migration, social protection systems, and promote regional frameworks for cross-border cooperation.

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