Airport Immigration Officials Fingered In Extortion

…Accused of Collecting Money Without Receipt

A US-based Ghanaian, David Boateng, has accused some Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officials stationed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) of taking money from him without receipts.

The incident, allegedly occurred on Sunday, August 25, 2024, when he had arrived to board Turkish Airlines to the United States of America (USA), after a short visit to Ghana.

He narrated that, upon arrival together with his two children at Terminal 3 Departure Hall, and going through check in, he was compelled by GIS officials to pay GH₵1, 200, equivalent of US$78.84, and other fees, for failing to endorse his son’s passport with the Immigration, after renewing it in 2022.

Interestingly, Mr Boateng, said when he asked for receipt, he was told there is no receipt for such services.

He told The Anchor that, even though he had no problem paying the money, he was worried there is no receipt covering it to confirm such payment would go into the coffers of the state.

“On Sunday, August 25, 2024, I was charged 1200 GH₵, equivalent to $78.84, plus a $2.37 fee, and an additional $5.00 for using a non-Chase ATM. The explanation given was that I should have endorsed my son’s US passport with the Ghana Immigration Service when it was renewed in 2022. I requested a receipt but was informed that they do not issue receipts for such services.

“My question to the Ghana Immigration Service officers at the Kotoka International Airport on the aforementioned date is, where does the money go?” Mr Boateng, posted on Facebook on August 27, after he arrived in the US.

Concerns are that many might have fallen victim to the dubious phenomenon, as it may have been going on for a long period at the blind side of authorities.

A friend, who commented, testified that she also experienced the same problem.

Irene Abban wrote “They never give receipts or they will tell you their boss is not in”.

He said, he has received same concerns from Ghanaians in the US. Mr Boateng, who was baffled about the incident, contacted this paper to follow up on the matter.

GIS Speaks

When The Anchor contacted the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GIS, Amoako Atta, he initially said it was unusual for the GIS to collect money without receipts.

He admitted that, payments are received at the airport, but receipts are given. He promised this reporter he will crosscheck the facts and get back.

“No! Payment yes, we do payments at the airport, but then we give receipts. It may be over stay, endorsement, a new passport, you don’t have any permit, either you are asked to come to the headquarters and apply for endorsement or extension to stay, renewal of your permit if all that, it’s appropriate. But then you are given receipts. So let me get the information and cross-check with the airport, if we have such entries in our books and all that”, he promised.

Cover up

Days later, after consulting the officers at the airport, the PRO, said his search revealed that there was receipts for the passenger, except that he was in a hurry, so he did not wait for it.

He disclosed that the officer who takes the money is different from the one that issues the receipts.

“I got to the airport. Yes, they confirmed two names and the moneys that were collected and they said it was for overstay, because the date of the issue of the passport, didn’t have any immigration stamp in it.

A receipt should have been issued, but the officers who collects the money, are not the same as the officers who gives receipt. They have to go with the money to the account officer…No, there is a receipt, if you like, I can arrange for you, I don’t know if you can get authority letter from the man, you can go for the receipt. How will you pay money and you won’t get receipt,”?

Even though Mr Boateng, categorically stated he demanded for the receipt, the PRO, claimed the passenger was in a hurry and so left.

“The officer I spoke to said the man left without the receipt.

What I am saying is that or in this specific case that you are saying, this what the officer said happened that after he paid the money, he left, but then his receipt is there, his receipt was issued. So, the go back, come back, will not resolve the thing, you can go for the receipt and the issue will be solved. If there is anybody, let the person come and then we will go into the case”, Mr Amoako Atta said.

Rubbished

But Mr Boateng, has rubbished the explanation of the Immigration, insisting he demanded for receipt and he was denied.

He asked “Why will I hurriedly leave to board the plane, when I waited at the airport for a while after all the processes? Why will I rush out and not ask for receipt only to complain that the Immigration took money from me, but didn’t give me receipt? I specifically asked for the receipt and I was refused. Their claim that the receipt was there, but I was in a hurry to board the flight is an afterthought”.

He has promised to revisit the issue in due course.

Source: Anchorghana.com