Immigration Service Arrests 606 Undocumented Migrants in Kumasi Crackdown
Early Morning Operation Targets Street Begging and Rising Migration Concerns in Kumasi
- Ghana Immigration Service arrests 606 undocumented migrants in Kumasi.
- Majority of detainees are children, highlighting scale of the issue.
- Migrants moved to Prampram for screening and processing.
The Ghana Immigration Service has carried out a major enforcement operation in Kumasi, arresting 606 undocumented migrants in an early morning sweep across key parts of the city.
The operation, which began around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, targeted areas known for high concentrations of street begging and informal settlements. Authorities say the exercise was aimed at addressing growing concerns over public nuisance and sanitation challenges linked to the increasing presence of undocumented foreign nationals.
Led by the Ashanti Regional Commander, Fred Amankwa, the operation concluded by 5:00 a.m., with teams focusing on communities including Asawase, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, and Aboabo.
Officials revealed that of the 606 individuals apprehended, 381 are children, 72 are adult women, and 153 are adult men — highlighting the scale and complexity of the issue.
This latest action comes two years after a similar repatriation exercise involving foreign nationals, many of whom are believed to have returned through unregulated border routes. Residents in affected communities have long called for a more sustainable solution, citing pressure on public spaces and worsening sanitary conditions.
Following the operation, the detainees were transported to Prampram, where a holding facility will be used to screen and verify their identities and nationalities.
While authorities have yet to announce a timeline for repatriation, the GIS says the exercise forms part of a broader effort to restore order and address migration-related challenges within the city.
