The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has repatriated 925 undocumented foreign nationals, primarily Nigeriens and Nigerians, following a coordinated operation targeting street begging in Accra.
The exercise, which began on Friday, May 16, 2025, led to the arrest of 2,241 foreign nationals, many of whom were found engaging in street begging and other unauthorized activities.
The first wave of repatriation commenced the following day, Saturday, May 17, 2025.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, May 20, and signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Michael Amoako-Atta, the GIS disclosed that of the initial group, 819 Nigerien nationals and 106 Nigerians had been processed and deported to their home countries.
“The repatriation process began on Saturday morning, and as of the time of this release, 925 individuals have been successfully returned. Procedures are ongoing to repatriate the remaining individuals,” the statement said.
According to the Service, all apprehended persons underwent profiling and security vetting in line with its standard operating protocols. While awaiting repatriation, detainees are being housed in designated holding facilities where they are being fed and provided with medical care when necessary.
To prevent overcrowding at the GIS Holding Centre located at its National Headquarters, the Service has temporarily suspended additional arrests until the current cohort is processed.
GIS stressed that the operation was carried out in a humane manner, in compliance with Ghana’s obligations to respect the rights and dignity of all persons regardless of their immigration status.
“The GIS remains committed to professionalism and the protection of human rights throughout its operations,” the release noted. “We are grateful to our stakeholders, especially the media and the general public, for their cooperation and support during this exercise.”
The Service further emphasized that it is determined to continue enforcing immigration laws fairly and firmly in the interest of national security, public safety, and development.
The GIS also announced that the operation will resume soon as part of efforts to sanitize the streets of Accra and crack down on trafficking and other criminal networks involving irregular migrants.
