News
GIS intensifies crackdown on exploitative migrant street begging networks in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), through its Ashanti Regional Command, has conducted an intelligence-led operation in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to rescue undocumented migrants from exploitative street begging networks in Kumasi.
The operation, which commenced at dawn yesterday, targeted identified hotspots including Asawase, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, and Aboabo.
A total of 606 individuals were rounded up, comprising 381 children, 72 females, and 153 males. Many of those rescued are believed to be victims of human trafficking and forced begging.
This exercise forms part of a nationwide GIS campaign to address the growing menace of organised street begging networks across the country.
In a related operation on April 15, 2026 in parts of the Greater Accra Region–including Abossey Okai, Zongo Junction, Nima, Madina, and Kaneshie–the Service facilitated the safe repatriation of 356 West African nationals to their home countries, namely Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.
In line with the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, which guarantees visa-free travel residence, and establishment rights for citizens of Member States, GIS emphasises that these operations are targeted at criminal exploitation and irregularities, not legitimate regional mobility.
The Service, in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Accra, assisted 89 Nigerian nationals to regularise their documentation and facilitated their handover to relevant anti-human trafficking authorities in Nigeria
The GIS has also engaged various African diplomatic missions in Accra to ensure coordinated and humane interventions, particularly for the protection of vulnerable children and destitute persons.
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr. Samuel Basintale Amadu, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment, stating: “The Ghana Immigration Service remains resolute in safeguarding Ghana’s borders and enforcing immigration laws, while upholding our obligations under the ECOWAS Protocol. We will continue to strike a balance between regional integration and decisive action against trafficking and exploitation.”
The public has been reminded that the Beggars and Destitute Act, 1969 (NLCD 392), prohibits street begging by both citizens and non-citizens. Offenders are liable to fines, imprisonment of up to three months, or both.
Members of the public have been encouraged to report suspicious activities involving foreign nationals to the nearest GIS office.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has engaged South Africa’ International Relations Minister over xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians.
In a revelation on Facebook, he posted “I have this morning held a telephone conversation with my South African counterpart, His Excellency Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. I called him on the trending videos about Ghanaians coming under extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.”
According to him, ” The South African Foreign Minister has expressed his empathy with the victims and promised full scale investigations into the depressing incidents.”
“The Government of South Africa is set to hold a briefing with African Ambassadors later today,” he added.
Okudzeto Ablakwa also confirmed that since yesterday, he had been in constant contact with Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa, His Excellency Benjamin Quarshie, coordinating the country’s response.
“I am gladdened that so far colleagues in our diplomatic mission have located the main victim in the viral video and are offering consular assistance. He is doing very well,” he added
The Minister revealed that “No Ghanaian life has been lost. We urge calm and confidence in our collective capacity to protect Ghanaians.”
He further noted that the Mahama Administration remains uncompromising about the welfare and safety of Ghanaians both home and abroad.
“We are determined to guarantee the protection of all citizens,” he added.
“May these regrettable incidents never quench our Pan-African love and solidarity for each other. The overwhelming majority of Africans are united and share an unbreakable bond — we shall not be divided by the hatred of a few fringe elements,” Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded .
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Odumase-Krobo District Command on Monday, April 20, 2026, arrested a female suspect in connection with the abduction of a nine (9) year old girl at Agormanya Zongo in the Odumase-Krobo district.
On Sunday, April 19, 2026, the Odumase-Krobo district Command received a complaint from victim’s father that his daughter left home and had since not returned.
Following investigations and intelligence, officers from the Odumase-Krobo district with the assistance of BNI personnel at the Accra International Airport arrested suspect Regina Mamle Tawiah, aged 36, and rescued the victim at the Accra International Airport.
Preliminary investigations revealed that suspect was trying to send the victim to Kenya.
Meanwhile, the victim has been reunited with her father.
The suspect, Regina Mamle Tawiah who was arraigned before the Odumase-Krobo circuit court yesterday, April 21, 2026.
She pleaded not guilty and has been remanded into police custody to reappear on May 5, 2026 for case management conference.
The Eastern Regional Police Command has entreated the general public to remain vigilant at all times and promptly report any suspicious persons or behaviour to the police.
