Street begging crackdown to go nationwide – Interior Minister
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has announced that the government’s recent clampdown on organised street begging in Accra is only the beginning of a broader nationwide effort aimed at addressing the issue across Ghana.
In an official update posted on his Facebook page, the Minister disclosed that a recent intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) led to the arrest of 2,241 foreign nationals engaged in organised street begging within the Greater Accra Region. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, targeted multiple hotspots across the capital city.
According to the Minister, the individuals arrested included 909 adults and 1,332 children, comprising 961 males and 1,280 females. The arrests form part of what he described as a coordinated initiative to restore public order and safeguard national security.
“I want to commend the personnel of GIS for their commitment to national security,” Muntaka stated. “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.”
The Minister further appealed for public support as the government prepares to roll out the operation in other regions.
“I count on your continued cooperation and support when the operations reach your communities,” he urged. “Let us work together to keep our streets safe, protect vulnerable individuals, and maintain public order.”
The Interior Ministry has not yet released a specific timeline for the nationwide rollout, but officials say the process will be conducted in phases with full inter-agency collaboration. The issue of street begging — particularly involving foreign nationals and children — has sparked public concern in recent years, with many Ghanaians calling for decisive government intervention to address both humanitarian and security implications.
