Immigration clears street children, guardians in massive operation at Abossey Okai

The Ghana Immigration Service has embarked on a special operation at Kaneshie and Abossey Okai, aimed at removing street children and their accompanying guardians from the streets.

The exercise, which took place in the early hours of Friday May 16, 2025 was led by immigration officers as part of broader efforts to address the growing presence of non-Ghanaian street dwellers, particularly minors, in major commercial hubs of Accra.

Numerous women with children—many of whom were reportedly thought to be foreign nationals—were rounded up by the immigration vehicles.

Officers were seen engaging with individuals before escorting them from the sidewalks and busy intersections where they often solicit alms from motorists and pedestrians.

Officials say the operation is part of a nationwide initiative to decongest the streets, enhance public safety, and curb child exploitation. It also aims to identify individuals residing in the country illegally and ensure proper immigration procedures are followed.

Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, Convener of the Coalition for Street-Connected Children Organisation (CSCCO), on May 8, 2025, raised serious concerns over what she describes as the growing and increasingly organised problem of child streetism in Ghana—particularly involving children from neighbouring countries.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show Dr. Tetteh noted that the number of street-connected children is on the rise, with many reportedly arriving from countries such as Chad and Niger.

“Statistics are hard to come by; we only know that the numbers are growing by the day. They usually come from Chad, Niger. This has been with us since I was a child, what we used to call ‘salaka’. But the issue has become worse than before,” she said.

She warned that some of these children may be part of a larger, coordinated network.