The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to removing beggars and street dwellers from major cities across Ghana as part of a broader effort to restore order and public decency.
During a working visit to the Northern Region, the minister announced that his ministry, in collaboration with security services, will soon launch a nationwide operation targeting five key cities, including Tamale.
Recent enforcement actions
Speaking on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the commissioning of a four-storey, 24-unit apartment block constructed by the State Housing Company for the Ghana Immigration Service in Tamale, Muntaka reiterated the government’s resolve to restore order to urban streets.
He revealed that a recent swoop in Accra led to the apprehension of over 2,000 foreign beggars, nearly half of whom have already been repatriated. The remaining individuals are expected to be processed and removed by the end of the week.
“By the close of this week, we should be able to finish removing all of them,” Muntaka stated.
Warning to street prostitutes
The minister also issued a stern warning to prostitutes operating openly on the streets, emphasizing that they too would be removed and repatriated to their respective countries.
“The beggars are not a nuisance but a threat to our national security,” he warned. “I can assure the rest of them that they either return to where they are coming from, because very soon, we are coming after all of them, including the prostitutes who are parading on almost all our streets.”
Muntaka cautioned such individuals to leave voluntarily or face forced removal by the ministry.
“We will not rest on our oars, we will go after them until we remove all of them,” he declared.
Public reaction and next steps
The minister’s remarks have sparked discussions on social welfare, human rights, and urban management. While some citizens support the initiative, others argue that addressing the root causes of homelessness and poverty would be a more sustainable solution.
As the government prepares to expand the crackdown beyond Accra, authorities are urging public cooperation to ensure the success of the operation.
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