The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has confirmed that the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officer featured in a viral video demanding money from a passenger for “breakfast” has been removed from his post at Kotoka International Airport.
The confirmation came late Saturday, following widespread public outrage over the footage, which has reignited concerns about systemic corruption within the country’s primary point of entry.
The Viral Incident
The video, which has circulated extensively on social media since Friday, captures an Immigration officer engaging a departing passenger in a tense exchange at one of the airport’s departure checkpoints. In the footage, the officer is heard demanding a cash payment, which he euphemistically described as “breakfast”—a common local colloquialism for a bribe to facilitate smooth passage or avoid unnecessary delays.
The passenger, whose identity has not been disclosed, recorded the encounter on a mobile phone and later shared it online, sparking a wave of condemnation from civil society groups, diaspora communities, and ordinary Ghanaians. The incident is particularly sensitive as Kotoka International Airport serves as the nation’s gateway to the world, handling thousands of travelers daily.
GACL’s Official Response
In a brief statement issued on Saturday evening, GACL management confirmed that the officer in question had been transferred from the airport effective immediately. The statement, signed by the Corporate Affairs Director, did not specify the officer’s new posting but assured the public that the matter had been referred to the GIS headquarters for further disciplinary action.
“The Ghana Airports Company Limited takes a zero-tolerance stance on any form of extortion within our facilities. We have facilitated the immediate reassignment of the officer pending a full investigation by the Ghana Immigration Service,” the statement read in part.
GACL further urged passengers to continue reporting such incidents through its official complaint channels, emphasizing that airport security and CCTV networks are being enhanced to curb misconduct.
GIS and Ministry Weigh In
Meanwhile, the Ghana Immigration Service has issued a separate internal directive confirming the transfer and announcing the commencement of a formal disciplinary inquiry. Sources within the GIS indicate that the officer faces possible dismissal if found guilty of professional misconduct, as the Service has been under intense pressure to clean up its image.
The Ministry of the Interior, which oversees the GIS, has also weighed in, with a deputy minister describing the officer’s conduct as “unacceptable and deeply embarrassing.” The Minister’s office has reportedly summoned the GIS Comptroller-General for an urgent briefing on enforcement mechanisms at the airport.
Background: A Troubling Pattern
This incident is not the first time Kotoka International Airport has made headlines for officer misconduct. Over the past five years, several undercover investigations and passenger testimonials have exposed a culture of petty bribery, ranging from demands for “fuel” to “transportation allowances.”
In 2023, the government launched a “Clean Gate” initiative aimed at eliminating corruption at all points of entry, which included the installation of additional security cameras and an anonymous reporting app. However, enforcement has been inconsistent, with the recent video suggesting that reforms have yet to fully take root.
Civil society groups, including the Ghana Integrity Initiative, have argued that such incidents severely damage Ghana’s reputation as a business-friendly destination and deter foreign investment and tourism. The group issued a statement Saturday calling for a comprehensive audit of all personnel stationed at the airport, rather than isolated transfers.
Passenger Concerns and Next Steps
The passenger in the video has reportedly filed a formal complaint with the GIS, and advocates are calling for his protection from retaliation. GACL has encouraged other travelers who have experienced similar demands to come forward, promising confidentiality.
As of Sunday morning, the officer’s transfer has been executed, and the airport’s Immigration desk has been temporarily reinforced with supervisory staff to prevent disruptions. The full outcome of the disciplinary inquiry is expected within two weeks, according to GIS spokespersons.
For now, the swift transfer of the officer offers a measure of public relief, but critics maintain that only sustained, systemic changes—including the deployment of body-worn cameras and randomized spot-checks—can permanently eliminate the “breakfast” culture that continues to plague Ghana’s frontline immigration services.
