Ghana Cracks Down on Migrant Beggars and Illegals: 2,281 Removed in 2025
In 2025, Ghana's Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, announced that the country had removed 2,281 migrant beggars and 774 other illegal immigrants involved in transnational organized crime from its streets. The enforcement exercise was part of the Ghana Immigration Service's efforts to reduce irregular migration and unlawful activities associated with it.
Ghana Immigration Service Steps Up Enforcement
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 24, Minister Muntaka said the Ghana Immigration Service had continued to remove foreign nationals found to be engaging in irregular migration and unlawful activities. He disclosed that by the end of 2025, the Ghana Immigration Service had removed 2,281 migrant beggars and 774 other illegal immigrants involved in transnational organized crime from Ghana.
Minister Muntaka emphasized that the government was pursuing the removals while remaining mindful of Ghana's obligations under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the country's longstanding diplomatic relations with other countries. He assured the public that logistical support would be provided to increase the scale of removals and strengthen the relevant institutions.
Government's Objective: Reduce Irregular Migration
The minister's objective is to reduce irregular migration and unlawful activities associated with it to the barest minimum, while ensuring that enforcement actions are lawful, undertaken by the appropriate authorities, and carried out in a manner that is respectful of human dignity. This approach is a significant departure from previous efforts to address irregular migration, which have often been criticized for being ineffective and inhumane.
Minister Muntaka acknowledged that the government's challenge in dealing with irregular migration is not a lack of political will, security, intelligence, or leadership, but rather the skills and operational capacity required to effectively manage the problem. He assured the public that with the necessary logistical support, the Ghana Immigration Service will be able to increase the scale of removals and strengthen its institutions.
Enforcement Continues into 2026
By July this year, the Ghana Immigration Service had removed 960 migrant beggars from the streets of Accra and Kumasi, as well as another 186 illegal immigrants. This ongoing effort is a testament to the government's commitment to addressing irregular migration and reducing the associated unlawful activities.
Source: Joy Online
