Ghana Immigration Cracks Down on Street Children, Apprehends Over 1,000 in Accra

Accra, Ghana - 16 May, 2025 - Ghana's immigration authorities have launched a major crackdown on street children and illegal residency in Accra, apprehending over 1,000 individuals, including children and their guardians, in a bid to address growing concerns over child exploitation and national security threats.

The operation, which began today May 16, targeted major hotspots such as Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle, aims to decongest urban centers, enhance public safety, and curb the exploitation of children. According to immigration sources, the initiative also seeks to identify and repatriate individuals residing in the country illegally, particularly those suspected of being trafficked or part of organized begging networks.

Many Ghanaians have expressed support for the operation, citing the need to address the visible rise in child streetism and associated social problems. However, advocates have highlighted deeper structural issues, warning that some of these children may be linked to larger, coordinated networks that require collaborative regional solutions.

Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, Convener of the Coalition for Street-Connected Children Organisation, has raised concerns about the growing presence of children from neighboring countries, such as Chad and Niger.

She noted that the issue has worsened over time and may require a transnational approach to address.

“Statistics are hard to come by; we only know that the numbers are growing by the day. They usually come from Chad, Niger. This has been with us since I was a child, what we used to call ‘salaka’. But the issue has become worse than before,” she stated.

Source: Lead News Online