Ghana International Airways Refund Revisted

It is nearly a year and half ago Mills Government suspended Ghana International Airways services. Since then several passengers have been waiting patiently to receive their refunds after assurances from Mills and his ministers. Not long ago a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport in Accra informed the public that “the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, under the directive of President John Evans Atta Mills, had released GH¢1,306,077.89 for the settlement of the remaining validated claims.”

A report published in a section of the Ghanaian media on the refund also stated in part that a directive to that effect, signed by Dr Kwabena Duffour, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, on March 18, 2011, authorized the Controller and Accountant General to release the amount to enable the Ministry of Transport to pay validated outstanding refund to Travel and Tour Operators for onward payment of the cost of ticket to the affected passengers. Contrary, most UK travel agents have denied receiving monies to that effect or have been notified of any such development. In view of the above, most Ghanaians especially the passengers living in UK are wondering why neither Mills’ office nor the ministers responsible haven’t clarify the confusion as a result of the announcement that money had been released to settle all refunds More than one thousand disappointed GIAL passengers who were unable to fly to Accra from London nearly one and half years ago due to the unexpected closure of the airline have over the months struggled to have their refunds but to no avail.

The situation is gradually getting worse as it was learnt during the investigation that in several instances there were scuffles between passengers and some travel agents which resulted in the intervention of the British police.

It is about time Mills and his Ministers responsible came out to up-date the passengers on the issue of the refund.