Sseasoned journalist and the managing editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., recounted a distressing incident in which a Ghanaian traveler departing from the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) had his precious possessions confiscated by airport officials.
According to Pratt, the officials justified their actions by claiming that Ghana was facing financial difficulties and that the man’s valuable items, including a gold wedding ring and bracelets, would be utilized for the ‘Gold-for-Oil’ policy of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.
He shared this disheartening story during an interview on Atinka TV, which was posted on Facebook on September 15, 2023. Pratt revealed that he learned about the ordeal of the Ghanaian traveler from his sister, who serves as an officer in the Ghana Police Service.
“A Ghanaian man was travelling out of the country, and when he got to the Kotoka International Airport, they seized the gold ring and bangle he was wearing. They (the KIA officials) told him that the country was broke and that it needed gold to go and buy oil.
“I am telling you. They seized his wedding ring. This guy’s sister was the one who called me to inform me… I told her that she was telling lies, and she said she was bringing me the seizure notice. Lo and behold, the documents were brought, and truly, they had seized the man’s belongings,” he narrated in Twi.
Additionally, he noted that, following his counsel, the policewoman approached the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). The BNI acknowledged the confiscation of the gold ring and bangle, but regrettably, these items have yet to be returned as of now.