The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has announced a series of measures to combat extortion at the country's airports, including the introduction of a "mystery shopping" programme, stricter disciplinary sanctions, and a dedicated public reporting hotline.
The measures were unveiled following a stakeholder meeting held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, aimed at eliminating what GACL described as the "unacceptable practice of extortion (begging)" across all airports under its management.
In a statement, GACL said stakeholders had agreed to introduce a mystery shopping initiative under which individuals found engaging in extortion would be identified through appropriate public channels.
"This 'name and shame' approach is intended to discourage such conduct and reinforce accountability among all personnel operating at the airports," the statement said.
The company added that personnel found culpable would face disciplinary action and "will no longer be allowed to work in any airport or within its environs."
As part of the enforcement measures, GACL has also established a dedicated hotline — 0542175636 (Call, WhatsApp, or SMS) — to enable passengers and the travelling public to report incidents of extortion.
The reporting mechanism covers personnel from several agencies and service providers operating at airport terminals, including the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Revenue Authority's Customs Division, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, the Ghana Police Service, National Security, airlines, ground handling companies, concessionaires, private security firms, car park operators, and airport service contractors.
Passengers making reports are expected to provide the date and time of the incident, the name of the officer involved, the agency concerned, and the location where the incident occurred.
The move comes as Ghana intensifies efforts to strengthen its position as a leading aviation and logistics hub in West Africa.
Persistent complaints of unofficial payments and solicitation by some airport personnel have long been cited by travellers and investors as factors that undermine passenger experience and the country's ease of doing business.
For airlines, investors, and tourism operators, improving service standards and eliminating extortion could boost confidence in Ghana's aviation sector while supporting passenger traffic growth.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen governance, accountability, and transparency across airport operations by enhancing enforcement and encouraging passengers to play a more active role in reporting misconduct.
With the introduction of mystery shopping, public reporting channels, and tougher sanctions, GACL is signalling a more robust enforcement approach aimed at improving operational integrity and safeguarding the reputation of Ghana's airports as the country seeks to expand its role in regional aviation and air transport.
