Immigration Service clears streets of Kaneshie, Abossey Okai in operation targeting street children

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) early Friday morning (May 16, 2025) conducted a special operation in Kaneshie and Abossey Okai to remove street children and their accompanying guardians.

The exercise, part of a nationwide initiative, targeted the increasing presence of non-Ghanaian street dwellers, particularly minors, in Accra’s major commercial areas.

Immigration officers were seen engaging with individuals before escorting them from sidewalks and intersections.

Numerous women and children, many believed to be foreign nationals, were rounded up. Officials stated the operation aims to decongest streets, enhance public safety, curb child exploitation, and identify individuals residing in Ghana illegally.

The operation follows concerns raised by Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, Convener of the Coalition for Street-Connected Children Organisation (CSCCO).

In an interview on Citi FM on May 8, Dr. Tetteh highlighted the growing and potentially organised issue of child streetism, noting an increase in children from neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger. S

he warned that some might be part of a larger, coordinated network.

“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.

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