‘Your cedi can fund terrorism’ – Immigration Service asks Ghanaians to stop giving to street beggars

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has launched a campaign urging Ghanaians to refrain from giving money to street beggars and to report any instances of human trafficking, child exploitation or forced begging. This initiative, under the hashtag #StopMigrantBegging, is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of such behavior.

Posters featuring children and women begging on busy streets serve as a stark reminder of the issue. One poster warns that street begging is not always a simple act of seeking help and advises the public to "Stop, Report, Protect." Another poster urges people to report any suspicions of trafficking, child exploitation or forced begging to the relevant authorities.

The campaign highlights the grave consequences of giving money to street beggars, stating that "Your cedi can fund terrorism." Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration in charge of Command Posts, Faisal Disu, stated that the GIS conducted operations in the past three weeks to remove migrant beggars from the streets, but many have returned soon after. He attributes this to the public's donations, which he claims make begging profitable for the beggars.

Disu revealed that many of the children seen on the streets have been trafficked from their home countries and are being exploited. He emphasized that those wishing to help should donate through the social welfare department or recognized orphanages, not directly to beggars. He cautioned that giving money can perpetuate the cycle of exploitation, with children potentially facing dire consequences if not addressed.

Disu warned that if nothing is done within the next 10 years, these vulnerable children might not be asking for money anymore, but rather grown individuals demanding phones, wallets, and other valuable possessions. He appealed to the public to cooperate in removing these vulnerable migrant children from the streets and providing them with proper care.