Removal of beggars: GIS repatriates 925 people - Arrests put on hold for lack of space

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has repatriated 925 people, out of the 2,241 persons it removed from some streets of Accra last Friday. 

Those repatriated last Saturday were made up of 819 Nigeriens and 106 Nigerians. Also, 1,316 more persons, made up of 1,254 Nigeriens, 32 Nigerians, 28 Burkinabes, a Malian and a Guinean, are expected to be repatriated.

The GIS said in a statement issued last Tuesday that processes were underway to remove the rest, who are mostly beggars, from the streets.

“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,” the GIS stated. 

Profiling

The statement explained that all affected immigrants had to undergo profiling and security screening in line with Standard Operating Procedures.

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

Consequently, the repatriation could not commence last Friday, because the screening processes continued into the late hours of the day, the immigration service said.

The GIS initiated repatriation last Saturday.

Humane treatment

The management of the Immigration Service reiterated that its special operation to remove foreign nationals engaged in begging on the streets of Accra and other major cities was being conducted humanely in cognisance of the rights of all migrants.

The statement added that meals, among other needs of persons in detention, had been provided for by the service, and the GIS Clinic was on standby to provide medical services where necessary.

“To avoid congestion at the Holding Centre at the National Headquarters, there has been a temporary hold on arrests,” the GIS said.

“The GIS remains committed to its core values of professionalism and respect for Human Rights, and assures the general public of humane handling of affected immigrants,” the statement added.

Support

The GIS expressed gratitude to stakeholders, especially the general public and the media, for their support in the ongoing exercise and assured the public of its commitment to operating a firm immigration system.

“As Ghana’s lead agency in migration management and border security, the GIS assures the general public of its commitment to operating fair and firm immigration systems and contributing to national security and development,” it said.  

It appealed for continuous collaboration and support from all stakeholders as the exercise progresses to ensure its success.