GACL Dismisses Staff Over Extortion at KIA Amid Infrastructure Delays and Power Outages in Greater Accra

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has taken decisive action against corruption by dismissing two car park attendants at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for extorting money from passengers. This development comes alongside significant updates from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) regarding delayed infrastructure projects and a major network fault reported by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) affecting several communities in the Tema Region. Together, these events highlight a concerted effort by public institutions to improve service delivery and infrastructure resilience within the capital and its surrounding areas.

Managing Director of GACL, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, announced the dismissal of the airport workers during a recent visit by Parliament’s Committee on Roads and Transportation. The decision followed a series of complaints from travelers who alleged that the staff were demanding illegal payments. Opare emphasized that the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward professional misconduct and is committed to enhancing the passenger experience. She urged the public to remain vigilant and report any further incidents of extortion, promising that the company will continue to uphold high standards of accountability and customer service.

In a separate development, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has clarified that the much-needed rehabilitation of the Kaneshie Market footbridges is currently on hold. The delay is attributed to the ongoing Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project, which involves critical drainage works along the same corridor. Mayor Allotey explained that simultaneous repairs are impractical as the drainage construction directly impacts the footbridge structures. While previous implementation challenges have been resolved, the Assembly has deployed traffic control officers to assist pedestrians and redirected traffic from Mallam towards Kaneshie during temporary road closures to ensure safety.

Compounding the challenges in the region, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has reported an extensive power outage affecting parts of the Tema Region due to a technical network fault. Residents in communities such as Jordan City, Katamanso, Santor, Nelplast, and Kubekro have experienced disruptions in service. ECG officials stated that technical teams are currently working to resolve the fault and restore power as quickly as possible. The utility provider has apologized for the inconvenience, echoing a broader regional focus on maintaining essential services as the government under President John Mahama monitors public service performance across the country.