By Alex Ababio
NGO urges Ghanaian authorities to crack down on foreign nationals engaged in illicit activities
Kumasi, Ghana – APEX, a civil society organization advocating for national development, has issued a stern call to Ghanaian authorities to intensify efforts in clamping down on illegal foreign miners, particularly Chinese nationals who have been implicated in destructive galamsey (illegal mining) operations across the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of APEX, Rev. Adu Michael, stressed the need for immediate action by key state institutions, including the Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of the Interior.
“We are urging the government to arrest and prosecute all illegal foreign nationals destroying our lands and rivers. These individuals must face the full rigours of Ghana’s laws before they are repatriated,” Rev. Adu stated. “They cannot wreak havoc here and walk away freely.”
He accused the Ghana Immigration Service of failing to fulfill its mandate, noting that their inaction has emboldened foreign nationals to flout Ghana’s laws with impunity. “For too long, immigration officials have turned a blind eye. It’s time they step up and protect our national interest,” he added.
Rev. Adu further disclosed that APEX intends to formally petition the relevant ministries and agencies to demand urgent enforcement measures against these illegal actors.
Meanwhile, Mr. Obiri Gyau, APEX’s spokesperson on trade and foreign affairs, raised alarms about the growing infiltration of Ghana’s retail sector by Nigerian traders, which he described as illegal under Ghana’s trade regulations.
“This situation is unacceptable,” Mr. Gyau said. “Our local traders are being pushed out of business, and it’s costing Ghanaians their jobs and livelihoods. The laws must be enforced without fear or favour.”
Mr. Gyau also highlighted the rising number of foreign children begging on the streets of Kumasi, describing it as a humanitarian and civic concern. “The city authorities and immigration service must act quickly to remove these children from the streets. It’s an eyesore and a threat to social order,” he noted.
He further lamented that some of these children intentionally contribute to environmental filth, often littering the streets and, in some disturbing cases, hiding human faeces around light poles.
He alleged that a coordinated operation exists to traffic children from foreign countries into Ghana, where they are forced to beg for alms and hand over the money to their handlers.
“It’s someone’s business to bring these children into Ghana just to beg on the streets. They don’t keep the money—they’re made to account for every cedi they collect,” he claimed
The APEX Secretary, Madam Shallot Amakye, added her voice to the concerns, lamenting Ghana’s slow pace of development despite decades of independence. “It’s disheartening that after all these years, we’re still grappling with the same challenges,” she said. “At APEX, we believe it’s time every citizen contributes meaningfully to national progress. We must all rise to the occasion to build a prosperous Ghana for future generations.”
The group called for a united front from both government and civil society to uphold the rule of law, protect national resources, and secure economic development for all.
