KIA reinforces security against "Goro boys"

Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is taking a number measures to reinforce security in and around the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Terminal against the nefarious activities of "goro boys", unemployed men who loiter at the airport, with the pretext of helping passengers.

The measures include the installation of close circuit cameras as well as increasing the number of Policemen at the airport. Mr Eric Noi, Public Affairs Manager of GCAA, told the GNA that following several complaints of the nefarious activities of these "goro boys" especially in harassing arriving passengers, which was painting a negative image of the Airport, the Authority would now ensure that their activities were reduced to the barest minimum.

He said to further strengthen the resolve of the GCAA to deal with the nuisance, Parliament had promulgated a new Civil Aviation Legislation Act 678 that empowered the Authority to arrest and prosecute loiterers, especially "goro boys."

"The issue of 'goro boys' is an age old problem and various attempts to flush them out have achieved little result as they keep coming back. However, with the passage of the Act these nefarious activities could be reduced."

He said there had been occasions that arriving passengers had been trailed to their houses and robbed at gunpoint.

These armed robbers are known to be hanging around the "meeter and greeter" point from where they monitor the movement of passengers. Mr Noi said the installation of close circuit television cameras around the airport terminal would assist in monitoring such criminals. He said the GCAA was also providing the Police with vehicles to maintain a 24-hours presence at the Airport.