Kotoka International Airport: A Shameful Begging Hub

Airports are generally regarded as the first point of entry into any country and that requires some form of deliberate demonstration of the culture and values of the citizens of that country in such environments.

In view of this, many would expect that officials tasked by the government to be of service to travelers across all airports will act with every inch of professionalism and passion to fulfill the needs of passengers whiles protecting the good image of the country.

This is sadly not the case in this part of the world as some airport officials use scrupulous means of extorting money from passengers for their selfish interest. Many passengers almost always need to go through various levels of embarrassment before being allowed passage to their eventual destination. Why should this be the case in such an esteemed location?

Embarrassment of Check-in staff, Immigration and Custom Officers

Over the years, significant number of travelers have alleged that regardless of how accurate and up-to-date your documents are, some Check-in staff, as well as Immigration and Custom officials will still find a way to pin you to a position of demanding money from you before granting you access of entry.

It doesn’t matter that you meet all the requirements to travel; you will be forced to “settle” these officers who shamelessly demand amounts that only go straight to their pockets. Failure to comply by this command will result in running out of time to catch your flight or in extreme cases, missing your scheduled flight completely.

This shameful sense of entitlement by these airport officials to frustrate, embarrass and delay travelers, who refuse to be taken advantage of, is nauseating and barbaric to say the least. It doesn’t portray the true image of the Ghanaian. We are not known for such acts, so the earlier it stopped the better for us all.

Professional “beggars” in uniform around airport parking space and washrooms

The culture of begging by these officials has extended to even janitors and uniformed officers at the car parking space of Kotoka International airport. Several people have shared their ordeal of being followed by cleaners to the airport washrooms with the sole intent of begging them for monies only their pockets can sing hallelujah to.

I have been in touch with people who have claimed that after paying their required parking tickets, they would still be literally begged to “add something small for the boys.” Others also have asserted that some officers at the parking space emotionally blackmail them into forgoing the balance of their parking ticket paid. Some of these instances go against their financial plans for the day but that they say seems to be the quickest means of getting away from that embarrassing scene.

Luggage theft and exorbitant prices to claim parcels

One of the most painful experiences any passenger can endure is to realize that your luggage has been tempered with and some valuable items are stolen by some individuals at the airport. Why would any airport official be so inconsiderate to cause this level of discomfort to innocent passengers? How are those culprits able to perpetrate such a robbery under the full glare of security personnel and indeed CCTV lenses around? Is it because all others tasked to monitor such eventualities are involved in this criminal activity?

Same story can be said of some officers in charge of the issuance of parcels and items from abroad, the shamelessness increases to a despicable dimension.

Something drastically needs to be changed at KIA as soon as possible

Surely, we cannot continue to be reading these stories of shame happening at our most esteemed travelling hub. What are the measures being put in place by the Ghana Airports Company Limited to completely halt these disgraceful conducts? What is the importance of the security cameras in and around the airport if perpetrators are not identified and punished? The spirit of patriotism must be awakened among citizens to protect the good image of the country for generations to come.

Edward Kyei Frimpong
Ticketing Officer at Silverwhite Travel and Tourism

Eddybless200@yahoo.com

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