In Accra, a recent operation by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has brought the issue of undocumented migrants sharply into focus. The GIS detained 2,241 foreign nationals as part of an effort to address street begging in the capital. The operation, which targeted key areas including Sabon Zongo, Nima, Abossey Okai, and the Obetsebi Roundabout, has initiated a series of medical and security screenings before the migrants’ repatriation. The Ghana Immigration Service has emphasized that the Accra migrant detention operation is being conducted with the utmost professionalism and respect for human rights.

Assistant Commissioner of Immigration Mr. Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs, GIS, stated, “They are currently being taken through the necessary processes, including security and medical screening.” This statement underscores the seriousness with which the GIS is approaching this issue.

The GIS operation, conducted on Friday, May 16, aimed to tackle the growing problem of street begging in Accra. The authorities focused on areas known to have a high concentration of undocumented migrants, leading to the arrest of a significant number of individuals.

Of those detained, 909 are adults (384 males and 525 females), while a larger number, 1,332, are children (577 males and 755 females). This demographic breakdown highlights the vulnerable populations often involved in undocumented migration.

The detainees are currently undergoing medical and security screenings at the GIS National Headquarters in Accra. These screenings are essential procedures that must be completed before repatriation, ensuring the safety and well-being of both the detainees and the communities to which they will return. The GIS has emphasized its commitment to handling the detainees with professionalism and full respect for their human rights, aiming to address any health concerns before repatriation and ensuring overall safety.

The GIS has outlined a dual objective for this operation: to repatriate the undocumented migrants and to dismantle the criminal networks that facilitate their presence in Accra. By addressing the root causes of the issue, the GIS aims to prevent future occurrences of undocumented migration and street begging. The Ghana Immigration Service has reassured the public that the detainees will be handled with the highest degree of professionalism and respect for human rights throughout this sensitive process related to Accra migrant detention.

The recent operation by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to detain and screen undocumented migrants in Accra underscores the complexities of managing migration and addressing related social issues. The medical and security screenings represent critical steps prior to repatriation, and the GIS has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to upholding human rights throughout the process. The situation highlights the need to address both the immediate needs of migrants and the underlying criminal networks that contribute to undocumented migration.