GIS Rescues 662 Children in Street Begging Crackdown
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GIS Rescues 662 Children in Crackdown on Exploitative Street Begging Networks
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has apprehended 1,055 people, including 662 children, as part of an intelligence-led crackdown on suspected human trafficking and exploitative begging networks operating across Greater Accra and Ashanti.
The exercise took place in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, 2026, focused on criminal syndicates suspected of using organised street begging as a cover to traffic, control, and exploit vulnerable foreign nationals particularly women and children.
In Accra, the operation zeroed in on several known hotspots, including Abossey Okai, Sabon Zongo, Madina Zongo Junction, Madina, Ashaiman, and Tema. Over in the Ashanti Region, teams covered major areas across the Kumasi Metropolis, including Asawase, Aboabo, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, and Airport Junction.
According to GIS, the majority of those apprehended were West African nationals believed to be involved in suspected illicit activity more than 1,000 in total. Several Ghanaians were also identified as suspected local agents helping to facilitate the begging networks.
Breaking down the numbers further, of the 1,055 people apprehended, 662 were children, 248 were women, and 145 were men.
GIS didn’t shy away from what these figures suggest. The sheer number of children caught up in this operation points to a deeply troubling pattern minors being trafficked and forced into begging on Ghana’s streets.
The Service framed the operation as part of a broader mission: rescuing victims, protecting vulnerable people, and dismantling the networks behind human trafficking and exploitative begging.
Investigations are ongoing, with GIS working to identify the people behind these networks and determine appropriate action against anyone found to have facilitated or participated in the exploitation.
All those rescued have since been moved to a designated holding centre, where they’ll undergo profiling and immigration processing according to standard protocols. For the children specifically, GIS says it’s working closely with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to make sure they receive proper care, protection, and support throughout the process.
This operation follows previous major enforcement actions and demonstrates the sustained commitment of the GIS to combating human trafficking, upholding immigration law, and safeguarding the dignity and rights of all persons within the borders of Ghana, the Service said.
GIS also flagged growing concern over the rise in migrant street begging, noting that the practice runs contrary to Section 2(1) of the Beggars and Destitutes Act, 1969 (NLCD 392), and Section 8(1)(b) of the Ghana Immigration Service Act, 2011 (Act 750).
To help sustain enforcement efforts, the Service is calling on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to support ongoing work to clear the streets of migrant beggars.
Comptroller General of Immigration Samuel Basintale Amadu had a specific request for everyday Ghanaians: stop giving money directly to migrant beggars, especially children.
Removing financial incentives reduces the profitability of organized begging and discourages traffickers from exploiting vulnerable persons on the streets, GIS explained.
For anyone who genuinely wants to help vulnerable individuals, the Service is encouraging donations through proper channels instead the Department of Social Welfare, recognised children’s homes, credible NGOs, or other authorised charitable organisations.
