The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has intensified its efforts to rid the country of undocumented foreign nationals through a series of coordinated swoops across key urban and border areas.
In a statement released on Monday, GIS said the operation forms part of a broader national strategy to enhance internal security, protect livelihoods, and enforce the country’s immigration laws.
The recent swoop led to the arrest of dozens of individuals believed to be residing in Ghana without valid documentation. Most of the suspects were picked up from various hotspots, including informal settlements and industrial zones, where intelligence reports had flagged increasing cases of non-Ghanaians engaging in illegal trade, unregulated mining, and other unregistered economic activities.
“Some of those arrested were found to have either overstayed their visas or entered the country through unapproved routes,” a GIS official told the press. “These actions violate Section 20 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573), and such persons will face the full rigours of the law.”
Preliminary investigations are ongoing, with many of the suspects expected to be processed for deportation. Others may face prosecution where criminality beyond immigration infractions is established.
The GIS urged landlords, business operators, and community leaders to avoid harbouring undocumented foreigners and report suspicious activities to the nearest immigration office. The Service also reiterated that the operation is not targeted at any nationality or group but is part of a national mandate to ensure that all non-citizens comply with Ghana’s entry and residence regulations.
“The security of our nation depends on strict adherence to immigration laws. This exercise is ongoing and will be sustained,” the statement added.
The swoop follows a recent surge in public concern over undocumented migration and its implications on national security, jobs, and law enforcement. Officials assure that lawful residents and visitors with proper permits and identification have nothing to fear.
The GIS has hinted that additional operations will be conducted in the coming weeks as part of a long-term strategy to tighten border surveillance, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming tourist and business season.
By Peter Quao Adattor
