Kotoka International Airport: A shameful begging hub

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K Nyame 1 year ago

I agree it is shameful for them to act this way. I have been asked for my entry ticket into Ghana by same officials when leaving the country after 2 months in Ghana. On another occasion a customs officer has asked me what I h ...
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I agree it is shameful for them to act this way. I have been asked for my entry ticket into Ghana by same officials when leaving the country after 2 months in Ghana. On another occasion a customs officer has asked me what I have brought for her. When I asked for clarification she said' oh daddy something for your girls. When I said I had nothing for her the colleague joined in and said there is something wrong with my bag. So i need to open it.i declined to do so because they wouldn't tell me what was wrong. All they wanted was some money
Edward 1 year ago

My goodness! What a bunch of shameful personnel! This cannot continue.

My goodness! What a bunch of shameful personnel! This cannot continue.
Nana 1 year ago

What do you expect from a corrupt country run by corrupt government

What do you expect from a corrupt country run by corrupt government
Bastie Tutu Asantefournyinaahene 1 year ago

Board chairman of GACL , PAUL ADOM OTCHERE bought a Christmas tree for $100 000.

A common Christmas tree o

Board chairman of GACL , PAUL ADOM OTCHERE bought a Christmas tree for $100 000.

A common Christmas tree o
Edward 1 year ago

hmmm a country with no proper accountability

hmmm a country with no proper accountability
Nsia 1 year ago

The creed, tenet, belief of the ruling govt in Ghana is "make pots of money" any foul means is a fair game to them as long as they have achieved the barmy idea of "property owning" party slogan.Just look at the state of our o ...
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The creed, tenet, belief of the ruling govt in Ghana is "make pots of money" any foul means is a fair game to them as long as they have achieved the barmy idea of "property owning" party slogan.Just look at the state of our once clean ,fast lowing and navigable rivers such as Tano, Ankobra,Pra etc.And, without beating about the bush, it is done by NPP financiers with the tacit support of venal president Akufo Addo. lovely article from a young lad with a mature head/ Bravo!
Edward 1 year ago

Thank you sir. We hope for a positive change of our mentality as a people

Thank you sir. We hope for a positive change of our mentality as a people
jka 1 year ago

this will never stop

this will never stop
Raymond 1 year ago

With the right will and strong deterent it will stop. Look at El Salvador for example. The same should be done here.

With the right will and strong deterent it will stop. Look at El Salvador for example. The same should be done here.
Edward 1 year ago

Hopefully soon

Hopefully soon

Test 2 1 year ago

GHANAIANS BY VOTING FOR AKUFO ADDO HAVE SOLD THEIR SOULS TO THE SATAN
A MAN WHO HAS NO FEAR OF GOD BY STEALING $58ML OF STATE MONEY DECEIVING HIS CITEZENS OF BUILDING A CATHEDERAL FOR GOD

GHANAIANS BY VOTING FOR AKUFO ADDO HAVE SOLD THEIR SOULS TO THE SATAN
A MAN WHO HAS NO FEAR OF GOD BY STEALING $58ML OF STATE MONEY DECEIVING HIS CITEZENS OF BUILDING A CATHEDERAL FOR GOD
Komfanko 1 year ago

Like most Ghanaians you yourself are a thief. It's only that you have not gotten a position where the opportunity to steal abounds.

Like most Ghanaians you yourself are a thief. It's only that you have not gotten a position where the opportunity to steal abounds.
Fireman 1 year ago

Your lack of knowledge is a sickness to humanity

Your lack of knowledge is a sickness to humanity
GhanaboyYour 1 year ago

Your article is interesting to read but woefully lacks specifics. U should have given some specific instan es of extortions at the airport!!!!!

Your article is interesting to read but woefully lacks specifics. U should have given some specific instan es of extortions at the airport!!!!!
Me 1 year ago

Those of us who have been through it know exactly what it is

Those of us who have been through it know exactly what it is
Josua 1 year ago

Thank you Sir. Those of us who have gone through know what he’s saying . A sad reality!!

Thank you Sir. Those of us who have gone through know what he’s saying . A sad reality!!
Spinoza 1 year ago

We don't need specifics,what we need are the right people with iron balls to weed out corrupt and unscrupulous elements from these places. Almost all government agencies are corrupt, from the police service to the various mi ...
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We don't need specifics,what we need are the right people with iron balls to weed out corrupt and unscrupulous elements from these places. Almost all government agencies are corrupt, from the police service to the various ministries. You literally have to tip a policeman before he does what he is supposed to do. The country is so saturated with corruption it stinks.
GENERAL KWAME AKITO 1 year ago

All government agencies are corrupt that's from the PRESIDENCY to the last office in the. Country. Even churches and their leaders in the country are corrupt, Rev. Kusi Boateng or Kwabena Adu Gyamfi are typical example.

All government agencies are corrupt that's from the PRESIDENCY to the last office in the. Country. Even churches and their leaders in the country are corrupt, Rev. Kusi Boateng or Kwabena Adu Gyamfi are typical example.
Auntie Love 1 year ago

Hmmm! Two cleaning staff asked me for some money at the ladies restroom at KIA.
The behaviour of some staff at the airport is very shameful. The directors/supervisors in charge of operations, must do everything possible to s ...
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Hmmm! Two cleaning staff asked me for some money at the ladies restroom at KIA.
The behaviour of some staff at the airport is very shameful. The directors/supervisors in charge of operations, must do everything possible to stop this shameful practice.
GENERAL KWAME AKITO 1 year ago

The directors/Supervisors can't do anything bcos they're part of the happenings.Even the board chairman swayed the whole country into believing that he bought a Christmas tree for $100 thousand at a cedi rate of 17gh per doll ...
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The directors/Supervisors can't do anything bcos they're part of the happenings.Even the board chairman swayed the whole country into believing that he bought a Christmas tree for $100 thousand at a cedi rate of 17gh per dollar.

Edward 1 year ago

I perfectly agree with you but sadly, the same directors might be culprits of similar offenses

I perfectly agree with you but sadly, the same directors might be culprits of similar offenses
Yaa 1 year ago

This is so very true. Both departure and arrival. It is such a shame. Go to UK. No officer is there to check your baggage after passport control, when bags are scanned and you have any suspected item, you would be pulled a ...
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This is so very true. Both departure and arrival. It is such a shame. Go to UK. No officer is there to check your baggage after passport control, when bags are scanned and you have any suspected item, you would be pulled aside fir questioning and this is done professionally. US same. Why is it so frustrating to travel through Ghana Airport? Bunch of Shameless corrupt people employed as officers. Some one must put these people to order. From the security at the entrance to customs, ..... least said the better.
Edward 1 year ago

hmmm I think it will take a huge financial investment to eliminate some of these human force and install modern ai equipment to perform these checks here too

hmmm I think it will take a huge financial investment to eliminate some of these human force and install modern ai equipment to perform these checks here too
Kwame 1 year ago

I am a Ghanaian living outside, and I have been traveling to and fro for the past 24 years. I have never had any bad experience with customs, immigration and any other agency.

I am a Ghanaian living outside, and I have been traveling to and fro for the past 24 years. I have never had any bad experience with customs, immigration and any other agency.
Shai 1 year ago

You must be ghost then. I live abroad and have been going through kotoka for the past 42 years, the article is very true.

You must be ghost then. I live abroad and have been going through kotoka for the past 42 years, the article is very true.
Edward 1 year ago

wow you must be 1 "lucky" traveler out of 100 passengers. I'm very interested to know more about how you've managed to avoid such confrontations in your over 2 decades of travelling via KIA.

wow you must be 1 "lucky" traveler out of 100 passengers. I'm very interested to know more about how you've managed to avoid such confrontations in your over 2 decades of travelling via KIA.
Kwadwo 1 year ago

There is this criminal CEPS officer called Bortier. He extorted $120 from me in November 2023

There is this criminal CEPS officer called Bortier. He extorted $120 from me in November 2023
Kujo 1 year ago

For what reason?

For what reason?
Afroboy 1 year ago

It’s pathetic.

It’s pathetic.
Nana 1 year ago

This is so true
My luggage was kept for almost a week tell me it was in south Africa all lies meanwhile there were going through my bags tskie whatever they wanted. I had to threaten them with media exposure to get my bags ...
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This is so true
My luggage was kept for almost a week tell me it was in south Africa all lies meanwhile there were going through my bags tskie whatever they wanted. I had to threaten them with media exposure to get my bags back

Edward 1 year ago

omg sorry for the inconvenience

omg sorry for the inconvenience
Nkrumah 1 year ago

Bro, you're 100 percent correct.I am a frequent traveller and I have experienced all the stuffs that you recounted in your message.And it's rather very unfortunate and disgrace to mother Ghana.A immediate action must be taken ...
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Bro, you're 100 percent correct.I am a frequent traveller and I have experienced all the stuffs that you recounted in your message.And it's rather very unfortunate and disgrace to mother Ghana.A immediate action must be taken to bring these disgraceful behaviors to a stop.
Edward 1 year ago

I'm glad a lot more people are now speaking against this disgrace menace. Hopefully it fuels a change soon

I'm glad a lot more people are now speaking against this disgrace menace. Hopefully it fuels a change soon
James King 1 year ago

19 august, 2023, I went to Kotoka airport to collect my wife, who was traveling to Ghana for the first time.
As she went through Customs, she was met by a total of 4 officers, the first of whom demanded my wife give him $20 ...
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19 august, 2023, I went to Kotoka airport to collect my wife, who was traveling to Ghana for the first time.
As she went through Customs, she was met by a total of 4 officers, the first of whom demanded my wife give him $200.00 so he could allow her to leave the airport. He claimed that my wife's health documents were not correct. They were. Please remember this was her first visit to Ghana, arriving to go with me to see the house we had purchased here. Afraid of confronting the officers, she was led by them to a nearby ATM. As she moved toward the ATM, three other customs officers followed, the last of which audibly asked, "what about me?"

She gave the officers the money.

When I met and spoke with an assistant to the Minister of the interior, who expressed an appropriate amount of outrage, and told me closed circuit cameras would catch the perpetrators. As of today, I have heard nothing about the incident, nor has the money been refunded.

In a meeting with the assistant to the Minister of the Interior a month ago, on a separate matter, the assistant recognized me, relating to a colleague who was also there his memory of the incident on 19 August, 2023.

Again, I left my meeting with him without any comment from him regarding the money that was stolen.
Edward 1 year ago

omg this is so damaging to our reputation as a country. I can only imagine the thoughts she will have about Ghana as a first time visitor. And oh as for that deputy interior minister, it's a clear indication his sector have n ...
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omg this is so damaging to our reputation as a country. I can only imagine the thoughts she will have about Ghana as a first time visitor. And oh as for that deputy interior minister, it's a clear indication his sector have no plans to stop these criminal in uniform at the airport. So sad.
Guy jesus 1 year ago

It happened to me last week he opened the luggage seeing biscuits tea and three mobile phones I asked to pay duty I refuse for more than one hour Then he for one biscuit. It's shame

It happened to me last week he opened the luggage seeing biscuits tea and three mobile phones I asked to pay duty I refuse for more than one hour Then he for one biscuit. It's shame
FunnyGhana 1 year ago

You are luck the Dept of Agriculture guys at the airport did not seize your biscuits and tea as undeclared food items and then extort money from you.

You are luck the Dept of Agriculture guys at the airport did not seize your biscuits and tea as undeclared food items and then extort money from you.
Jacob 1 year ago

The BEGGAR MENTALITY is very much in evidence and practice in many other areas of public service. Passport, Driving Licence, Land Registration, Hospital treatment, even getting paid by Govt.for jobs done... It is so widesprea ...
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The BEGGAR MENTALITY is very much in evidence and practice in many other areas of public service. Passport, Driving Licence, Land Registration, Hospital treatment, even getting paid by Govt.for jobs done... It is so widespread in Ghana that we think it is normal. That is why we don't see why anyone should complain about CORRUPTION !!!
Nii 1 year ago

I agree to this very article and it's 100 percent true.
But I believe if the staffs are payed and treated well, these acts will minimise.
It is so shameful some staffs are payed as low as 500gh regardless of their location ...
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I agree to this very article and it's 100 percent true.
But I believe if the staffs are payed and treated well, these acts will minimise.
It is so shameful some staffs are payed as low as 500gh regardless of their locations. In this economic state of the country, management of these private companies within the airport company not treating thier staffs well will surely yield to these acts by staffs.
These aspects of managements should be tackled as well.
Edward 1 year ago

A private company at the airport paying a salary of 500 cedis in 2024 is unacceptable by any dimension.

A private company at the airport paying a salary of 500 cedis in 2024 is unacceptable by any dimension.
Kwaku 1 year ago

What about the agricultural people when you are coming back to Ghana?

What about the agricultural people when you are coming back to Ghana?
Edward 1 year ago

kindly tell me about them.

kindly tell me about them.
Efia 1 year ago

It's very true some will just waste your time asking you what are you leaving for us that's when you are leaving and what did you bring when you come in it's as if you owe them something .They should stop because I pass throu ...
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It's very true some will just waste your time asking you what are you leaving for us that's when you are leaving and what did you bring when you come in it's as if you owe them something .They should stop because I pass through other airports and have never been asked to give anything to anyone .It's only at our ports and it's shameful
Blame ourselves 1 year ago

When ever we luck of truth among ourselves God will choose a leader with the same character or even wicked ,common election 1+1 =2 and a b c d up to z becoming head ache simple as 1+1 and a b c d just less than a day a res ...
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When ever we luck of truth among ourselves God will choose a leader with the same character or even wicked ,common election 1+1 =2 and a b c d up to z becoming head ache simple as 1+1 and a b c d just less than a day a result can declare by voting centers with party A 12 voters and party B 13 voters simple but we denied all this and choose difficulties. So if an officer in airport request for some settlement don't blame him because it doesn't started from him rather coming from the top.we are in a very waste and mess generation which I feel sad for the youth who are not mature yet that doesn't think far so philosophically Africans are still in self indirect slavery by so call politicians always believe to occupy power with all means if I and you being sincere and honest to ourselves they won't be any tiny chance to take the law on his or her own hand just because of so call self interest so I keep thinking of this negative mind and up to now I don't get it or understood I always asking myself why this mentality or we are not sensible human beings.
GOV OFFICIAL 1N 1 year ago

So must we force every problem on the failure of political leaders? If a police or custom officer demands money from you at the airport or anywhere, do we have to blame political leaders for that unlawful act? If so then we h ...
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So must we force every problem on the failure of political leaders? If a police or custom officer demands money from you at the airport or anywhere, do we have to blame political leaders for that unlawful act? If so then we have a very long way to go.
Araba Tawia 1 year ago

Officials at the Airport, Immigration, Customs Officers, even Staff who help those who need assistance like wheelchairs etc always have their name tags turned inside so you’re unable to get their identity to even report the ...
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Officials at the Airport, Immigration, Customs Officers, even Staff who help those who need assistance like wheelchairs etc always have their name tags turned inside so you’re unable to get their identity to even report them. It’s so embarrassing and some of them plainly ask you for foreign moneys. When mother Ghana when????

The authorities should make it compulsory for all staff on duty at the airport to let their name tags be visible so they can be identified. The main purpose of the name tag is for people to be to identify you. The men put their tags inside their shirts and button them only to show the yarn on their necks.
Edward 1 year ago

wow this is news to me. The fact that nobody has been brought to book for hiding their identities is an indication that it is very deliberate and authorities are fully aware of such behaviours

wow this is news to me. The fact that nobody has been brought to book for hiding their identities is an indication that it is very deliberate and authorities are fully aware of such behaviours
kofi 1 year ago

thieves,my pair of celine glasses were stolen,it was funny how i stood in the heat waiting for my bag when i saw a guy holding unto it.when i asked what he was doing with my bag ,he said he was looking for the owner,meanwhile ...
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thieves,my pair of celine glasses were stolen,it was funny how i stood in the heat waiting for my bag when i saw a guy holding unto it.when i asked what he was doing with my bag ,he said he was looking for the owner,meanwhile i was by the carousel waiting for the said bag.what a shame
The People's Voice 1 year ago

Your narrative sounds pathetic but it is unspecified one.
Stories of such must come with specification. Moreover, the travelling public knowing very well that corruption is a crime, failed to report any individual who extort ...
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Your narrative sounds pathetic but it is unspecified one.
Stories of such must come with specification. Moreover, the travelling public knowing very well that corruption is a crime, failed to report any individual who extort money from them. That means that you yourself you are corrupted.
Have you ever ask the jenitor how much is her salary? The employer failed to pay her well and maybe delays in paying her wages.
Are you aware that you must pay taxes and duties on goods imported in commercial quantities?
Are you aware that you also have to pay if you over stay in a foreign country? You're a foreigner if you renationalized unless you hold a dual citizenship. Most of comporte yourselves in foreign countries than home.
When they favor you and expect the same favor in monetary form, you call it corrupt, you are also corrupt.
When some of you pay less for your huge luggages knowing you are supposed to take 23kgs, you don't have to be told that you are corrupted too. When your bag is 32kg and you are to 200 dollars but it is reduced to 150 or even, you don't see it to be corrupt practices?
Let's change our attitude towards corruption. It's you and I responsibility.
Josua 1 year ago

How do you explain this , I needed visa on arrival and I went through the process and everything, the immigration office took MoMo, he gave his personal number and I have proof. I paid tue full amount so how do you explain th ...
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How do you explain this , I needed visa on arrival and I went through the process and everything, the immigration office took MoMo, he gave his personal number and I have proof. I paid tue full amount so how do you explain this situation.. some of you think you know everything, when people complain you always find ways to counter them and in doing so you don’t even sound deep
Pelicles 1 year ago

Whatever is going on in Ghana is a true reflection of who we are as Ghanaians. As a traveler, if you believe everything on you have is right, why should you be asked to pay something?

Some of us try to smuggle things into ...
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Whatever is going on in Ghana is a true reflection of who we are as Ghanaians. As a traveler, if you believe everything on you have is right, why should you be asked to pay something?

Some of us try to smuggle things into the country knowing very well that they are flouting the laws so, when you are asked to pay, who is the culprit or who is encouraging what at the KIA?
Fireman 1 year ago

Even the free wifi at the airport thoesnt works meanwhile in other countries it works. I arrived in Ghana and Didn't have their so called Ghana card to even buy a chip to make a call to my family. This is bad. They leave you ...
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Even the free wifi at the airport thoesnt works meanwhile in other countries it works. I arrived in Ghana and Didn't have their so called Ghana card to even buy a chip to make a call to my family. This is bad. They leave you in a very uncomfortable position.
Fireman 1 year ago

A lot of unnecessary security personnel asking totally unnecessary questions delaying your boarding time just to get bribes. In other countries you have automated checking and security to fast track the whole process, not to ...
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A lot of unnecessary security personnel asking totally unnecessary questions delaying your boarding time just to get bribes. In other countries you have automated checking and security to fast track the whole process, not to waste anyone's time.
Edward 1 year ago

Absolutely. We are in the last quarter of 2024 and such modern devices shouldn't be far fetched for such a busy airport like KIA.

Absolutely. We are in the last quarter of 2024 and such modern devices shouldn't be far fetched for such a busy airport like KIA.
Midodzi Tay 1 year ago

This is dreadful to push passengers into a corner to relinquish some of their funds for some officials selfish acts. The question is why are some of the staff members so bold to act so shamelessly? The Fish Rots From the He ...
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This is dreadful to push passengers into a corner to relinquish some of their funds for some officials selfish acts. The question is why are some of the staff members so bold to act so shamelessly? The Fish Rots From the Head. The only way to get rid of this cancer, is to cut it out by advertising banners around the airport discouraging passengers to pay any of the staff members any money, Staff must be immediately dismissed for perpetrating such acts, training the staff and bringing about awareness on how this affects the Country's reputation globally. Its a shameful act, sadly synonymous to the Ghanaian way of life. This behaviour is not only to be stumped out at the airport, but everywhere in the country. The leaders have to launch a big campaign for the country to tackle "corruption", with constant advertisements and banners for at least 5 years. Years after that we would start to see great benefits, and the country would be attractive for businesses to invest in.
Edward 1 year ago

I strongly agree with your view. If we paint these banners around the airport and in fact set a day to protest against their behaviour, it will create enough awareness and pressure them to completely stop those shameful acts

I strongly agree with your view. If we paint these banners around the airport and in fact set a day to protest against their behaviour, it will create enough awareness and pressure them to completely stop those shameful acts
Patrick Boateng 1 year ago

This is clearly due to lack of leadership and accountability in our Nation. This will never happen in Rwanda and you and I know why.

This is clearly due to lack of leadership and accountability in our Nation. This will never happen in Rwanda and you and I know why.
Edward 1 year ago

I agree will you 100%

I agree will you 100%
herbert, Sweden 1 year ago

The most recent cheating or whatever you may call it, you have to pay 50 cedis, for foodss, and some fishes, meat before your baggage could be passed to go.

The most recent cheating or whatever you may call it, you have to pay 50 cedis, for foodss, and some fishes, meat before your baggage could be passed to go.
Alhaj Boadi 1 year ago

This canker must be uprooted immediately
The author is 100%correct

This canker must be uprooted immediately
The author is 100%correct
Edward 1 year ago

Exactly. Thank you

Exactly. Thank you

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Kotoka International Airport: A shameful begging hub

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