The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced a temporary suspension of arrests in its ongoing operation targeting foreign nationals engaged in street begging, citing overcrowding at its detention facilities.
In a press release dated May 19, 2025, the GIS explained that the pause was necessary “to avoid congestion at the Holding Centre at the National Headquarters.” The move comes after 2,244 individuals—mostly from Niger—were detained in a sweeping crackdown on migrant beggars across Accra and other major cities.
So far, 925 detainees have been repatriated, including 819 Nigeriens and 106 Nigerians. However, with processing and deportation procedures still underway, the Service has opted to temporarily halt further arrests to manage capacity at its facilities.
“The Special Operation is being conducted humanely in compliance [with] the rights of all migrants,” the GIS stated, emphasizing that meals, medical care, and other necessities are being provided to those still in custody.
The pause suggests logistical challenges in handling the large volume of detainees, particularly given the detailed screening processes required. Each arrested individual undergoes profiling and security checks, with segregation by gender and age to meet international standards.
The GIS assured the public that operations will resume “in due course” as part of efforts to “rid the streets of beggars and clamp down on criminal networks.” Meanwhile, authorities have appealed for continued support from stakeholders, including the media and general public.
The halt in arrests highlights the complexities of large-scale repatriation exercises, even as Ghana seeks to enforce its immigration laws. With Nigeriens constituting over 92 per cent of detainees, the operation has also drawn attention to the prevalence of economic migrants from neighbouring West African nations in Ghana’s street begging trade.
The GIS did not specify how long the suspension would last but maintained that its approach remains “professional” and respectful of human rights.
