The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has rescued a total of 305 West African nationals after conducting an intelligence-led anti-trafficking operation to rescue victims and disrupt exploitative street begging networks.
The operation, undertaken in the early hours of Wednesday, April 15, 2026, clamped down on the exploitation of foreign nationals through organized street begging, a practice often used by criminal networks to traffic and control vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children.
Out of the total number rescued, 113 were children, 66 were adult women and 126 adult men. Of the children rescued, 36 are male and 77 are female.
The exercise focused on rescuing affected persons and ensuring compliance with Ghana’s immigration laws within the Greater Accra Region, including areas such as, Abossey Okai, Zongo Junction, Nima, Madina and Kaneshie.
GIS in a statement said the significant number of minors involved in the organized street begging underscores growing concerns about the vulnerability of children within these exploitative arrangements.
All persons rescued are currently undergoing profiling and necessary immigration procedures at a dedicated centre in line with established protocols.
The Service is also working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that victims, especially children, receive appropriate care, protection, and support.
The operation follows a successful earlier exercise with enhanced coordination and targeted interventions aimed at dismantling networks that facilitate the exploitation of foreign nationals through and under the guise of street begging.
The Service remains committed to combating human trafficking, protecting vulnerable migrants, and promoting lawful and orderly migration.
“We urge the public to support ongoing efforts by reporting suspicious activities related to human trafficking and organized street begging to the nearest Immigration Office. The general public will be updated on subsequent steps on this matter,” GIS concluded.
