The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has apprehended 2,241 foreign nationals in a coordinated swoop across 11 zones in Accra as part of efforts to repatriate undocumented individuals.
The swoop, conducted in the early hours of the day, was sanctioned by the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service. It aimed to clear the streets of Accra of foreign beggars, dismantle criminal networks, and repatriate all undocumented individuals involved.
A breakdown of those apprehended includes 384 adult males, 577 male children, 525 adult females, and 755 female children.These individuals are currently in the custody of the GIS at its headquarters, where they are housed in temporary tents. They are undergoing profiling and receiving medical attention.
Assistant Commissioner of Immigration, Michael Amoako-Atta, assured the public that the operation was carried out humanely and in line with the Service’s core value of respecting human rights.
He dismissed claims that the influx of foreign nationals was due to porous borders, instead blaming some Ghanaian residents at border areas who smuggle foreigners into the country through farms and unofficial routes.
“The borders are not porous as people claim. If you look at the measures we have implemented to secure our borders, you’ll realize we are among the best in the sub-region. In fact, other countries even come here to benchmark our systems,”
“Unfortunately, some of our fellow nationals, particularly border residents, sometimes assist foreigners to enter the country through unauthorized pathways. We are currently engaging these individuals to educate them on the dangers of such actions.”he said
He further revealed that intelligence gathered by the GIS points to a syndicate involving foreign nationals who organize and bring others into the country for trafficking and begging.
These activities are said to be lucrative for the syndicate, which often includes Ghanaian collaborators.“Some criminal elements are organizing these vulnerable individuals and exploiting them for human trafficking and street begging. They sometimes use buses to transport them into the country,”
“Our main focus is on foreign nationals, but if a Ghanaian is found among them, they will be released. However, anyone found to be collaborating with these groups will be dealt with according to the law.” he disclosed