President John Dramani Mahama has backed measures by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other airport agencies to clamp down on workers who solicit or beg visitors for tips.
According to the President, the practice damages Ghana’s image and creates a negative impression among international visitors.
He has therefore called on workers across the aviation sector to uphold professionalism, discipline and hospitality in their dealings with passengers and other visitors.
President Mahama made the remarks on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Multi-Tiered, Multi-Purpose Car Park and Airport Hotels Complex at the Accra International Airport.
He said every interaction between visitors and workers at the airport contributes to the country’s image, including encounters with immigration officials, baggage handlers, traffic management personnel and other service providers.
“I’m happy that the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Civil Aviation Authority and other institutions working at the airport are taking a tough stance against soliciting and begging visitors for tips. It reflects very badly on our country,” he said.
President Mahama stressed the need for the aviation sector to cultivate a culture of professionalism and courtesy to improve the experience of visitors to Ghana.
“Every institution and every worker at this airport contributes to Ghana’s image,” he said.
He added that the welcome visitors receive at immigration, the efficiency of baggage handling, cleanliness and the courtesy of service providers all contribute to their first and last impressions of Ghana.
As part of the crackdown, GACL has already dismissed two car park workers over their alleged involvement in soliciting tips from passengers.
The new airport development will comprise two hotels and more than 2,000 parking bays.
The project will also feature a pedestrian connector to the terminal, a shopping mall with a food court, retail and office spaces, as well as a sky lounge and sky observatory for aircraft viewing.