VIDEO: Ghana Airports Company reacts to passengers sleeping on benches at KIA

The Ghana Airports Company Limited has reiterated that all passengers who refuse to pay for the COVID-19 test will be handed over to the state security agencies and quarantined at a designated location.

The GACL in a statement reacting to concerns of some persons who alleged they were being treated inhumanely said the measures are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace.

The undated video which has been circulated on social media shows several persons including a toddler sleeping on benches.

According to the amateur videographer who catalogues the experience of the passengers, they have been held because they do not have $150 to pay for the service.

However, the GACL says the video was "taken by disgruntled passengers who refused to pay for the test on arrival and were waiting to be transported by State Security Agencies".

"As operators of the airport, GACL's utmost responsibility is to ensure a smooth facilitation process of passengers, especially during this COVID-19 era.

"It is worth noting that the measures put in place, as published in the guidelines, are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace. The travelling public is therefore kindly encouraged to strictly adhere to the published guidelines in the interest of health and safety of all Ghanaians".

It will be recalled that as part of updated measures for the reopening of the KIA which took effect on September 22, all arriving passengers are subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test at the airport terminal at a cost of $150 to be borne by the passenger.

Any passenger who refuses to undergo the test is subjected to his passport being seized and handed over to the security agencies. The passenger will also be taken into a 14-day quarantine at a designated location at the passenger's cost.

Read the entire statement below;

STATEMENT ON ALLEGED MALTREATMENT AT KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The attention of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media regarding an alleged maltreatment of some passengers who refused to pay for the COVID-19 test on arrival at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

Management wishes to emphasize that the guidelines for arriving passengers state that, passengers who refuse to pay for the COVID-19 test will be handed over to State Security Agencies and taken into quarantine at a designated location.

The video in circulation was taken by disgruntled passengers who refused to pay for the test on arrival and were waiting to be transported by State Security Agencies. As operators of the airport, GACL's utmost responsibility is to ensure a smooth facilitation process of passengers especially during this COVID-19 era.

It is worth noting that the measures put in place, as published in the guidelines, are to ensure the safety and protection of the Ghanaian populace.

The travelling public is therefore kindly encouraged to strictly adhere to the published guidelines in the interest of health and safety of all Ghanaians.

ISSUED BY MANAGEMENT