The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has reported that out of 2,241 foreign nationals detained for street begging, a total of 925 have been repatriated.

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A breakdown of the repatriated foreigners indicates 819 Nigeriens and 106 Nigerians.

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All affected immigrants had to undergo profiling and security screening in line with standard operating procedures.

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Repatriation could not commence on Friday, 16th May, because the above processes continued into the late hours of the day.

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Repatriation was initiated in the morning of Saturday, 17th May. According to the GIS, processes are underway to repatriate the foreign nationals.

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GIS has affirmed that the rights of the detainees are not being violated. Meals, among other needs of persons in detention, have been provided for by the Service, and the GIS Clinic is on standby to provide medical services where necessary.

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Immigrants were also segregated based on their gender and age, in line with international best practices.

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Meanwhile, GIS has put on temporary hold the arrest of foreign nationals engaged in street begging "to avoid congestion at the Holding Centre at the National Headquarters."

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The Service, however, noted that the Special Operation will resume and continue in due course, in the effort to rid the streets of beggars and clamp down on criminal networks.

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GIS has therefore requested continuous collaboration and support from all stakeholders for the success of this exercise.

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Meanwhile, the Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has urged all Ghanaians to remain calm and support this exercise.

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"Let us cooperate with the security teams as they work to protect our streets and uphold national safety," he wrote in a Facebook post.

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Muntaka Mubarak has revealed that the crackdown will soon be extended to other regions beyond Accra.

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“I have seen the public reactions and calls for similar actions in places like Kumasi, Tamale, and other communities. Please be assured that this is a nationwide exercise that began in Accra and will be extended to other regions soon.”

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