Immigration Service Rescues 662 Children, Arrests 1,055 West African Nationals in Forced Begging Crackdown

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says it has conducted an intelligence-led operation across the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions to clamp down on suspected syndicates involved in the trafficking and exploitation of foreign nationals for forced begging.

According to a statement shared by the Service on its official social media platforms, the operation resulted in the apprehension of 1,055 West African nationals, the majority of whom are reportedly Nigeriens.

The GIS also disclosed that 662 children were rescued during the operation as authorities moved against suspected trafficking and forced begging networks.

In a dramatic development, the Service said a Nigerien woman who was in custody gave birth to a baby girl on the same day she was picked up by immigration officers.

The operation also led to the detention of some Ghanaians suspected of acting as local agents for the foreign nationals and facilitating the alleged exploitation activities.

The GIS said the intelligence-led operation forms part of its efforts to identify and dismantle networks involved in the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons through forced begging.

The Service indicated that investigations will continue to establish the identities of those involved, determine the full extent of the suspected activities and identify other persons connected to the networks.

The operation underscores concerns over the exploitation of children and vulnerable foreign nationals through organised begging activities in parts of Ghana.

The Ghana Immigration Service is expected to work with relevant security and social protection agencies to safeguard rescued children and other vulnerable persons, while pursuing appropriate action against individuals found to have facilitated or participated in the alleged trafficking activities.