The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has arrested more than 600 undocumented migrants, including hundreds of children, in a dawn operation targeting foreign beggars in parts of the Ashanti Region.
The early morning sweep on Tuesday covered several areas in Kumasi, including Asawase, Aboabo and Sabon Zongo, which residents say have seen a growing presence of street beggars.
The operation, led by Ashanti Regional Commander Fred Amankwa, began around 3:30 a.m. and ended at 5:00 a.m., resulting in the arrest of 606 people, made up of 381 children, 72 females and 153 males.
Residents have for years called for authorities to address the influx of foreign beggars, many believed to be from Niger, citing concerns over sanitation and public nuisance.
Authorities said similar groups had been repatriated in the past but later returned, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of such operations.
All those arrested have been transported to Prampram for screening to determine their identities and immigration status, GIS said.