GACL Crackdown: Immigration and Port Health Officers Sanctioned for Extortion at Accra International Airport

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has announced decisive disciplinary actions against several airport personnel following allegations of extortion and unprofessional conduct at the Accra International Airport. In a statement released on August 6, 2026, the GACL confirmed the transfer of a Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officer and the barring of two Port Health officials. These measures come as the airport authority intensifies its efforts to eliminate corruption and improve the experience of travelers passing through Ghana’s premier aviation hub.

The GIS officer, a female staff member, was reassigned from her post after a video surfaced showing her soliciting a "token for breakfast" from a passenger. The recording, which circulated widely, prompted an immediate investigation into the breach of professional ethics. GACL emphasized that such behavior undermines the integrity of the service and the nation's reputation. While the officer has been transferred away from the airport environment, the move signals a low threshold for misconduct among frontline staff who interact with international visitors.

In a separate but related development, two Port Health officers have been barred from working at the airport after they were caught extorting money from a foreign traveler on August 5, 2026. The officers reportedly charged the passenger $40 for a Yellow Fever Card, double the approved official fee of $20. Following a swift verification of the incident, their airport identification cards were deactivated, effectively ending their deployment at the facility. This action reinforces the GACL's commitment to ensuring that all statutory fees are transparently managed and that personnel do not exploit unsuspecting travelers.

To prevent future occurrences, the GACL has introduced a dedicated hotline for travelers to report incidents of harassment or extortion in real-time. The company stated that all personnel at the airport are now under heightened surveillance to ensure compliance with professional standards. This anti-corruption drive aligns with the broader transparency goals of the current administration under President John Mahama. The GACL has urged the traveling public to remain vigilant and use the established channels to report any staff member who makes inappropriate demands, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption.