Ghana has commenced an operation to deport hundreds of African immigrants found begging on the streets in its cities and towns.
The Ghana Immigration Service is spearheading the exercise, with patrol vehicles moving through key commercial areas to escort irregular migrants from locations where they are known to solicit alms.
Authorities hope that the operation, which started in the capital, Accra, will curb the presence of child beggars and their guardians, particularly those from Niger, Mali, and Chad.
The initiative forms part of a nationwide strategy to reduce street congestion, enhance public safety, and address the issue of child exploitation. Additionally, the exercise aims to identify individuals without valid immigration status and ensure that proper procedures are followed.
Last month, the NGO Coalition for Street-Connected Children Organisation (CSCCO) expressed concern over the escalating issue of child streetism in Ghana. Its spokesperson, Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, voiced alarm over the increasing number of children, reportedly from Chad and Niger, appearing on the streets of Accra.
“While concrete data is scarce, it is evident that the number of street-connected children is increasing. This trend is not new; it dates back to what was once referred to as ‘salaka.’ However, the current situation appears more severe and possibly more organized,” Dr. Tetteh stated on Accra-based Citi FM.
Dr. Tetteh also suggested that some of these children might be part of a broader, structured network, further complicating efforts to address the issue.
Ghana is not an exception to the growing trend of street-connected children, a phenomenon observed in several developing countries. Analysts have expressed concern over the increasing number of street children of immigrant background in both urban and rural areas.
In 2022, the Ghanaian government deported 562 Nigerien beggars to their home country as part of efforts to address street begging in Accra. An additional 1,000 Nigerian beggars, including children, were also slated for repatriation to Nigeria.
Source: Africafeeds.com
