The Ghana Revenue Authority has launched an investigation into an alleged extortion involving a Customs officer stationed at the Accra International Airport, following a viral social media video in which TikToker Lady Rev. Adwoa Pretty accused the officer of collecting GH¢600 from her without issuing a receipt.
In a statement, the GRA said it had taken note of the allegation and commenced investigations to establish the facts surrounding the reported payment. The Authority said it would communicate its findings to the public once the investigation is concluded, and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining integrity, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of its mandate. The identity of the officer involved has not been disclosed, and the GRA has not provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the alleged payment.
The Viral Allegation
The investigation was triggered by a video posted on TikTok by Lady Rev. Adwoa Pretty, a Ghanaian content creator and self-styled traditional herbalist with a significant following on the platform. In the video, she claimed a Customs officer at the airport took GH¢600 from her with no official documentation provided. The video quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention and renewing public scrutiny of interactions between travellers and revenue and security officials at Ghana’s entry points.
A Persistent Problem: “Breakfast Money” at Ghana’s Airports
The allegation comes amid growing public concern over a culture of informal payments — often referred to locally as “breakfast money” — at Ghana’s airports. Travellers have for years complained about being pressured to part with money before being allowed to proceed with their belongings. Airport staff, including immigration, customs, port health, security and service contractors, have been accused of requesting what they describe as “breakfast money,” while some port health officers have been reported to charge foreigners $40 instead of the approved $20 for Yellow Fever cards.
The issue is not new. In May 2024, then Interior Minister Henry Quartey made an unannounced visit to the airport after complaints about misconduct by officials, specifically warning immigration, airport security and Port Health personnel against carrying travellers’ bags and allegedly demanding money from passengers. Quartey described the airport as the “face of Ghana” and urged officials to meet international standards of professionalism.
Previous Prosecutions
The problem has also moved into the criminal justice system. In October 2025, a Customs officer stationed at Terminal 3, Torgbe Agbeti Dordoe, appeared before the Adentan Circuit Court for allegedly extorting GH¢2,000 from a businessman without issuing an official receipt. According to the prosecution, the complainant had returned from Dubai on February 15, 2025, with two sets of Bose musical instruments. Customs assessed the applicable duty at GH¢21,000, which the businessman paid and received a receipt for. However, the complainant alleged that during a previous importation in November 2024, Dordoe had collected GH¢2,000 in cash without issuing a receipt. Dordoe pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of GH¢10,000 with one surety.
In a separate incident in August 2026, a female officer of the Ghana Immigration Service was transferred from the airport after a viral video showed her allegedly asking a passenger for “breakfast” while on duty. Two Port Health officers were also barred from working at Accra International Airport after being accused of overcharging a foreign passenger for a Yellow Fever Card, charging $40 instead of the approved $20 for foreign nationals.
GACL’s Response: Hotline and “Mystery Shopping”
In response to mounting complaints, the Ghana Airports Company Limited announced a series of measures in August 2026 to curb extortion at airports across the country. These include a dedicated reporting hotline — 0542175636 (Call, WhatsApp, or SMS) — through which passengers can report incidents of extortion by personnel of various agencies operating within the terminals, including the GRA’s Customs Division, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Port Health, airlines and ground handlers.
GACL also introduced a “mystery shopping” initiative to identify personnel engaged in extortion, with individuals found guilty facing disciplinary action and being publicly identified through a “name and shame” policy. Offenders will no longer be allowed to work at any airport or within its environs. The company urged passengers to provide the date and time of the incident, the name of the officer involved, the agency and the location when making a report, and reminded travellers that they have the right to request the airport identification card of any official claiming to represent an agency. Passengers were further encouraged to demand receipts for all payments made at the airport and to report any suspicious conduct through the dedicated hotline.
GRA’s Broader Anti-Corruption Efforts
The GRA has acknowledged the challenge of corruption within its Customs Division and has taken steps to address it. In February 2026, the Authority interdicted five Customs Division officers pending the outcome of an internal investigation into alleged breaches of transit procedures. The GRA has also partnered with organisations including the Ghana Integrity Initiative to tackle corruption in customs operations for enhanced revenue mobilisation and trade facilitation, emphasising the need for high levels of integrity and professionalism among staff.
The Authority has stated it “remains committed to ensure that all revenue collection and enforcement procedures are executed with the highest standards of professionalism and accountability”.
What Next
The GRA has indicated that conclusions will only be communicated once the investigative process is complete. No arrests or disciplinary actions have been announced at this stage. The investigation is expected to determine what transpired and whether any breach of procedure occurred before the Authority decides on any further action.
For many travellers, however, the issue extends beyond the specific amount allegedly demanded. As one analysis noted, the problem is not simply about the money or item requested, but the wider question of whether passengers can access public services at Ghana’s airports without feeling pressured to provide unofficial benefits.
