Over 2,000 Street Children, Guardians Detained at Abossey Okai, Kaneshie, Airport, and Madina
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) conducted a major operation in Accra, detaining over 2,241 street children and their guardians. The early-morning exercise across the capital, hotspots like Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Madina, and Airport, are known for high concentrations of child beggars and vendors, to address child streetism and illegal residency.
“As we speak, we have arrested 2,241 foreign nationals, made up of 384 male adults, 577 male children, 525 female adults, and 755 female children. All these persons are currently undergoing profiling,” he stated.
Immigration officers engaged individuals directly, escorting many, suspected to be foreign nationals, into vehicles from sidewalks and intersections where they typically solicit alms. The operation aims to decongest urban areas, enhance public safety, and combat child exploitation, with a focus on identifying and repatriating undocumented individuals, including those potentially involved in trafficking or organized begging networks.
Officials emphasized the security risks posed by street begging, with plans to verify identities and facilitate non-Ghanaians’ repatriation. Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, from the Coalition for Street-Connected Children Organisation, noted the growing presence of children from countries like Chad and Niger, warning of possible links to transnational networks that require regional cooperation.
Many Ghanaians have welcomed the initiative, citing the rising social issues tied to child streetism. The GIS operation reflects a broader effort to restore order in Accra’s public spaces while addressing the complex challenges of migration, child welfare, and urban congestion.