The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has launched an intelligence-led operation targeting organised street begging networks operating in Accra and Kumasi.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, 2026, resulted in the apprehension of 1,055 West African nationals from several identified street-begging hotspots.

The GIS said the exercise was aimed at disrupting networks allegedly using street begging to traffic, control and exploit foreign nationals, particularly women and children.

The Service said the operation was not focused solely on removing individual beggars from the streets but on identifying and disrupting organised networks operating across different locations.

Of the 1,055 persons apprehended, 662 were children, 248 were women and 145 were men.

The GIS also arrested some Ghanaian nationals suspected of acting as local agents for the alleged networks.

In Accra, officers targeted areas including Abossey Okai, Sabon Zongo, Madina Zongo Junction, Madina, Ashaiman and Tema.

In Kumasi, the operation covered Asawase, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, Airport Junction and Aboabo.

The GIS said its intelligence-led approach was intended to enforce immigration laws while identifying and protecting persons who may have been victims of trafficking or other forms of exploitation.

The Service said the operation followed concerns over a growing pattern in which children are allegedly trafficked and placed on the streets to solicit money from the public.