66 irregular migrants arrested in Western Region
In a bid to curb the influx of irregular migrants and associated security challenges, the Western Regional Command Headquarters of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has ramped up its intelligence and enforcement operations across the region, resulting in a series of arrests and repatriations.
Under the recently launched GIS “Triple S” campaign, aimed at ensuring a secured, stable, and safe nation, the Command executed a successful operation on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
Led by the Officer in Charge of the Intelligence Unit, C/Supt. Elijah Narh, a team of officers apprehended sixty-six Ivorian irregular migrants at their hideout within the Anaji Hills enclave of Sekondi-Takoradi, the Western Regional Capital.
Western Regional public Affairs Officer of GIS Inspector Moses Manford Akakpo, said the suspects, consisting of 45 men and 21 women aged between 19 and 54 years, were recruited from various Ivorian towns to engage in cybercrimes and other suspected illegal activities.
Investigations revealed that none of them possessed passports or any form of identification, confirming their illegal entry and residence status in Ghana.
Further probe unveiled the involvement of Ghanaian nationals Romio and Akwesi Daniel, who recruited the Ivorians under the guise of operating an online business (QNET).
The landlady, Madam Juliet Quayson, was implicated for renting her property without confirming the immigration status of the tenants, as mandated by the Aliens Registration Regulation, 1974, L.I. 856.
Inspector Akakpo stated that while all suspects have been repatriated to their home country, two individuals, Bamba Ladja and Traore Yssouf, have been detained to assist in ongoing investigations.
In a related development, on March 19, 2024, the Axim Sector Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Emmanuel Adams, led a similar operation resulting in the arrest of six Nigerian commercial sex workers operating at the Bafana Bafana Beach Resort, a notorious brothel.
These individuals, aged between 19 and 26 years, have also been repatriated.
It’s noteworthy that the manager of the Bafana Bafana Brothel, Mr. Kofi Bekoe, faces charges of harboring foreign prostitutes before the Sekondi District Court A.
The Western Regional Command of the GIS extends gratitude to all stakeholders, particularly the members of the Anaji Hills residents association, for their support in these efforts to ensure regional security and stability.
