<p><br></p><p>Dr Kpikpi’s comments follow an intelligence-led GIS operation in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions that resulted in the apprehension of 1,055 people linked to street begging and suspected exploitative networks.</p><p>According to the GIS, the operation, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, 2026, resulted in the rescue or apprehension of 662 children, 248 women and 145 men. Several Ghanaian nationals were also detained on suspicion of acting as local agents for networks allegedly involved in the exploitation of vulnerable foreign nationals.</p><p>The operation covered several known street-begging hotspots, including Abossey Okai, Sabon Zongo, Madina, Ashaiman and Tema in the Greater Accra Region, as well as Asawase, Alabar, Akwatia Line, Dagomba Line, Sabon Zongo, Airport Junction and Aboabo in Kumasi.</p><p>The GIS said the exercise was aimed not merely at enforcing immigration laws but also at tackling suspected human-trafficking networks allegedly using women and children for forced begging.</p><p>The Service said all rescued persons had been transferred to a designated holding centre for profiling and immigration processing. It is also working with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other stakeholders to provide care and protection, particularly for children.</p><p>However, Dr Kpikpi has opposed the planned removal of the migrants, arguing that Ghana should demonstrate compassion and Pan-African solidarity in dealing with vulnerable people from other African countries.</p><p>“This is sounding like a South African replay. We should set an example for the rest of Africa by taking these vulnerable people on and caring for them. Africa is all one. No deportations!” he said in a social media post, according to Graphic Online.</p><p>The PAG presidential nominee maintained that many of the people found on the streets, particularly women and children, should be treated as vulnerable persons in need of protection and rehabilitation rather than simply being subjected to forced removal.</p><p>He called for a humane response that combines shelter, social support and rehabilitation with measures to address the underlying causes of poverty, displacement and exploitation that drive vulnerable people into street begging.</p><p>His position comes as authorities intensify efforts to tackle organised begging and alleged trafficking networks in Ghana's major cities.</p><p>The GIS has said the large number of children rescued during the latest operation raises serious concerns about child vulnerability and the alleged use of minors in forced begging.</p><p>The Service has also urged the public to stop giving money directly to migrant beggars, particularly children, arguing that such payments can provide financial incentives for organised begging networks and traffickers. It has instead encouraged members of the public to channel assistance through the Department of Social Welfare, recognised children's homes, credible non-governmental organisations and other authorised charitable organisations.</p><p>The GIS has further disclosed that a Nigerien woman apprehended during the operation was found to be in labour after she complained of feeling unwell. She was taken to a health facility where she delivered a baby girl and remains under medical observation.</p><p>While the GIS continues with profiling and immigration procedures, Dr Kpikpi's intervention has added a humanitarian dimension to the debate over how Ghana should respond to undocumented migrants involved in street begging, particularly where children and other vulnerable persons are concerned.</p><p>Photo courtesy: Dr. Kpikpi, Graphic online.</p>