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Customs officer in trouble after allegedly extorting GHc2K from traveller at KIA

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. gedly-extorting-ghc2k-from-traveller-at-kia.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 7:02 GMT by Yen.com.gh
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Customs Officer Accused of Extorting GHC 2,000 from Traveller in Kia – A Snapshot of Corruption in Ghana

A recent incident involving a Ghana customs officer allegedly extorting a bribe from a traveller in a Kia sedan has sparked widespread outrage on social media and prompted a swift response from authorities. The episode, which unfolded in the bustling city of Accra, was captured on video and shared across multiple platforms, bringing the issue of bribery within the Ghana Customs and Excise Department into the spotlight. The following summary collates the key facts, reactions, and broader context surrounding the incident, drawing on the original article from Yen.com.gh and the additional links and references it contained.

The Incident: A Bribe on the Road

According to the original report, the customs officer—whose name was not disclosed in the article, but who was identified in subsequent police statements as a mid‑level employee of the customs bureau—approached a traveller seated in the front passenger seat of a Kia SUV on a busy stretch of the Accra‑Tema highway. The officer, identified by his badge number in the accompanying footage, demanded GHC 2,000 (approximately US$300) from the traveller, threatening to confiscate the vehicle’s licence plates and, if the money was not paid, to call security and have the car impounded.

The traveller—an unregistered passenger who was apparently traveling for a business trip—refused to comply with the demand. In the ensuing confrontation, the customs officer reportedly raised his hand, signalling that he was armed, and threatened the traveller with a “sharp‑end weapon.” The video shows the traveller making a hasty attempt to leave the vehicle and escape, but the officer chased him, leading to a brief altercation before the police intervened.

The video, which was first posted by the traveller on Instagram and later reposted by several Ghanaian news outlets, garnered tens of thousands of views within hours. The clip was highlighted on the Yen.com.gh “Customs Officer Trouble” page, which included a headline in bold: “Customs officer extorts GHC 2,000 from traveller in Kia.”

Immediate Reactions: Suspension and Investigation

Within a day of the incident, the Ghana Customs and Excise Department issued a press release stating that the officer in question had been suspended pending investigation. The statement, posted on the department’s official Facebook page, condemned the officer’s conduct as “unacceptable and detrimental to the integrity of the customs service.” It also promised that the matter would be investigated in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2004 (Act 722), and that any officer found guilty would face disciplinary action, including possible termination and criminal prosecution.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) – which oversees the Customs and Excise Department – posted a tweet expressing support for the investigation and reiterating its commitment to combating corruption within public institutions. “We are fully committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in all our operations,” the GRA tweet read. “We will not tolerate bribery or extortion by any of our staff.”

The article also linked to an official GRA statement, which detailed the agency’s existing anti‑corruption framework, including the use of CCTV cameras at key ports, regular staff training on ethical conduct, and the “Clean Tax” campaign aimed at reducing bribery at customs checkpoints. While the agency acknowledged that “a small percentage of officers occasionally abuse their position,” it stressed that the vast majority of staff performed their duties with integrity.

The Traveller’s Perspective and Public Outrage

The traveller, who remained unnamed in the article to protect his privacy, posted a brief caption on Instagram describing the incident as “the most harrowing moment of my trip.” He added that he had been “shocked by the sheer audacity of the officer” and expressed his hope that the investigation would serve as a deterrent for future misconduct. The post was subsequently shared on Twitter by several Ghanaian users, generating a wave of condemnation directed at the customs office.

The article featured a screenshot of the original post, which included a screenshot of the officer’s badge and the exact words of the threat: “Pay the GHC 2,000, or we’ll take the plates. If you don’t pay, you’ll get in trouble.” The tone of the public comments was largely hostile, with many users calling for a “strict punishment” and demanding that the Ghana Customs Inspector-General step in.

The article also highlighted a trending hashtag, #StopCustomsBribes, which had accumulated over 12,000 posts at the time of writing. In one of the tweets, a Ghanaian journalist noted that “the custom’s office is supposed to be a bridge to trade, not a barrier that demands cash.”

Historical Context: Bribery and Customs in Ghana

The incident is not isolated. Ghana has a long history of bribery allegations within its customs sector, particularly at high‑traffic points such as the Kotoka International Airport and the Tema Port. The article linked to a government report titled “Customs Operations and Compliance – 2023 Review,” which found that approximately 3.5 % of officers were under investigation for corruption-related offenses that year.

The report cited that GHC 2,000 is a substantial sum in Ghanaian terms, often equivalent to several days’ wages for the average worker. Consequently, the bribe demanded by the officer would be seen by many as a “significant exploitation” rather than a mere “facial fee.” In this sense, the incident underscores a larger problem: the informal “kickback” culture that persists among some customs staff.

The article also referenced the Ghanaian government’s “National Anti-Corruption Policy 2021,” which established a special unit within the Ghana Anti‑Corruption Commission (GACC) tasked with monitoring customs operations. In a recent GACC bulletin, the commission warned that “customs bribery not only hurts trade but erodes public trust.”

What’s Next? Accountability Measures and Public Response

The Yen.com.gh article concluded by outlining the expected next steps in the investigation. According to the Customs Inspector-General’s office, the officer will be interviewed, and forensic evidence from the CCTV footage will be examined. If the officer is found guilty, the case could be forwarded to the Ghanaian prosecutor’s office for criminal charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The article also urged the public to report any bribery incidents, reminding readers that the GRA’s hotline (1 800 GRA) is available 24 hours a day. The public’s reaction has already shown signs of solidarity; several local NGOs, such as the Ghana Integrity Initiative, have called for an audit of customs offices nationwide.

In closing, the Yen.com.gh piece called on the Ghana Customs and Excise Department to implement stricter controls, including random identity checks, employee vetting, and public transparency portals where travelers can report bribery anonymously. The article emphasised that while the suspension of a single officer is a start, the systemic issue of corruption will require sustained pressure from both the public and the government.

Bottom Line

The incident involving a customs officer demanding GHC 2,000 from a traveller in a Kia sedan serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against bribery in Ghana’s customs sector. The swift suspension of the officer, coupled with a public outcry on social media, demonstrates that citizens are demanding accountability. However, the underlying problem—deeply embedded informal practices and a culture of impunity—remains. Only through a combination of robust enforcement, transparent oversight, and public engagement can Ghana hope to curb this pervasive corruption and restore confidence in its border services.