GIS clear over 1000 street children, guardians from Kaneshie and Abossey Okai

In an attempt to control the growing concern of streetism in Ghana, officers from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) have evacuated about 1,000 children and their guardians from some parts of Accra.

The unannounced operation undertaken at Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the early morning of Friday, May 16, 2025, is part of the government’s effort to minimise the presence of undocumented migrants on the streets..

The Ghana Immigration Service, in a statement, confirmed that the women and children are illegal foreign nationals.

Witnesses reported that the operation involved a mix of direct interaction and rapid removal from sidewalks and intersections where these individuals typically ask for donations from both motorists and pedestrians.

“We are currently assessing the outcomes of the operation and will provide further details to the public in due course,” the statement read.

The initiative also focuses on identifying and repatriating individuals residing in the country illegally, especially those suspected of being trafficked or part of organised begging networks.

GIS also stressed that street begging has become a matter of national security, stating that measures are being put in place to verify the identities of those detained and expedite the repatriation of non-Ghanaians.

Many Ghanaians have shown their support for this initiative, viewing it as a timely and necessary response to the increasing prevalence of child streetism and the related social challenges.