Interior Minister launches crackdown on street beggars, prostitutes

By: Ernest Afram

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced an aggressive nationwide campaign to rid Ghana’s major cities of beggars, street dwellers, and prostitutes, describing the situation as not only a social concern but also a growing national security threat.

Speaking during a working visit to the Northern Region on Thursday, May 22, the minister outlined his ministry’s new strategy to restore order and dignity to urban streets, beginning with five major cities — Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, and Sunyani. The announcement was made during the commissioning of a newly constructed four-storey, 24-unit apartment complex for the Ghana Immigration Service in Tamale.

“We are not doing this out of spite. It’s about national security and public order. The beggars are not just a nuisance; they are becoming a threat. Our cities must be safe, organized, and decent for both residents and visitors,” he said.

According to the minister, a recent operation in Accra led to the arrest of over 2,000 foreign nationals engaged in street begging. Nearly half of them have already been repatriated, and the remaining individuals are expected to be processed and deported by the end of the week.

The exercise, carried out in collaboration with various security agencies, forms part of a broader government strategy to tackle illegal migration, petty crime, and urban disorder. The operation will soon be extended to other targeted cities where street begging and unauthorized activities have become commonplace.

The minister also issued a stern warning to commercial sex workers who operate openly on the streets, particularly in the evenings. He stated unequivocally that such individuals will not be spared in the upcoming sweeps.

“Very soon, we are coming after all of them, including the prostitutes who are parading on almost all our streets. We will not rest on our oars. We will go after them until we remove all of them,” he said.

He urged those engaged in such activities to leave voluntarily or face forced removal, adding that the government is committed to sustaining the clean-up exercise.

In response, officials at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection say they are working alongside the Interior Ministry to ensure that support systems are in place for the most vulnerable, including the provision of temporary shelters and access to healthcare and counselling.

As the nationwide operation prepares to expand, the Interior Minister has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring law and order across the country and ensuring that Ghanaian cities are safe, clean, and welcoming for all.