A Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officer has been transferred from the Accra International Airport after she was captured in a viral video allegedly demanding money for “breakfast” from a passenger.

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which announced the action in a statement on Thursday, August 6, said the Immigration Service had confirmed that the officer involved had been transferred from the airport.

“Management has also taken note of a viral video showing a Ghana Immigration Service officer demanding money for ‘breakfast’ from a passenger,” GACL said.

“The Ghana Immigration Service has confirmed that the officer in question has since been transferred from the airport,” the statement added.

In the same statement, GACL also mentioned that two Port Health officers have been barred from working at the Accra International Airport and other airports operated by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) after they were found to have extorted money from a foreign traveller seeking a Yellow Fever Card.

These actions come amid growing public concern over reports of extortion, solicitation of money and other forms of inappropriate conduct involving some personnel of various state agencies operating at Ghana’s airports.

In recent months, GACL has intensified efforts to clamp down on such practices and protect the reputation of the country’s international gateways.

In June, the company established a dedicated hotline for passengers to report suspected extortion involving personnel operating within airport terminals.

The initiative covers personnel from several agencies and organisations, including the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division, Ghana Police Service, Narcotics Control Commission, Port Health, airlines, ground handlers and private security companies.

Read Also: GACL sacks two airport car park workers over passenger extortion

Passengers have been encouraged to identify the officer or employee involved and the institution they represent when making complaints to facilitate investigations and prompt action. The reporting hotline has also been displayed at strategic locations within airport terminals.

GACL said its engagement with the various agencies operating at the airports forms part of efforts to improve the travelling experience and ensure that personnel are held accountable for their conduct.

Following the latest incident involving the Immigration officer, the company reiterated that activities within the airport were being monitored.

“Everyone is being watched,” GACL warned.

It also urged passengers who encounter inappropriate demands to “Spot it. Record it. Report it.”

The company has provided 0542175636 for passengers to report incidents through calls, WhatsApp messages or text messages.

GACL said it remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy on extortion and protecting the integrity and reputation of Ghana’s airports.