Its costing us, destroying our conveyor belt system — Ethiopian Airlines justifies ban on 'Ghana Must Go' bags

Ethiopian Airlines has prohibited the use of matted woven bags popular 'Ghana Must Go' bags for travelling on its flights, citing damage to baggage systems.

In a notice issued to airports and travel agencies in Nigeria, Henok Gizachew, Manager of Airport Services at Ethiopian Airlines, said the local fabric bags will no longer be permitted effective November 25.

The manager explained that the soft and squishy nature of the Ghana Must Go bags causes them to get stuck in conveyor belts and crush under the weight of other bags, disrupting baggage sorting.

"The use of Ghana Must Go as a means of packing baggage has cost the airlines huge losses and also damaged the conveyor belt system, not only on our flight but also on other foreign airlines," noted Mr Gizachew.

Ethiopian Airlines joins other major international carriers like KLM and Emirates that have previously banned the bags.

Passengers traveling with Ethiopian Airline will now have to pack their belongings in hard-sided luggage like cartons or suitcases.

The iconic red, blue and white patterned bags have become popular across West Africa since the 1960s for their affordable prices and decorative prints, particularly during the period when the Nigerian government deported some Ghanaian citizens.