Accessing customs services at Accra Airport faced delays due to system issues, but authorities assured that duty was ultimately paid, and they are working to improve passenger communication and procedures.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) said on Friday October 9, 2026, that customs duty assessed on a passenger at Accra International Airport had been paid into its account, while apologising for delays after the traveller alleged extortion by customs officers.

GRA said a preliminary investigation into the incident found that the 807.68-cedi duty assessment was duly accounted for, although a technical problem had delayed payment processing and the issuance of an official receipt.

The transaction had been conducted in good faith but acknowledged the lengthy wait and apologised to Bonsu for the inconvenience.

The passenger, identified as Gifty Osei Bonsu, arrived on an Egypt Air flight at 12:48 pm on 3 October, and was referred to the Red Channel for further examination of her luggage following customs risk selection and scanning, the authority said in a statement.

Officers found 20 pairs of new women’s shoes, nine new women’s dresses, 18 new men’s shirts and four new wigs, it said.

Customs assessed duty of 807.68 cedis on the 20 pairs of shoes.

The GRA said its Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) was temporarily unavailable, preventing the immediate processing of the payment and issuance of a receipt.

The passenger, who told officers she had a flight to catch, deposited 600 cedis with them towards the tax bill, while a friend contributed another 200 cedis, bringing the total to 800 cedis, according to the authority.

After the system was restored, the full amount was paid into the GRA’s revenue account at Ecobank Ghana on 3 October at about 4:57 pm, with an official receipt generated in the passenger’s name, it said.

The customs officers used their personal funds to cover the 7.68-cedi shortfall, the authority added.

The GRA said the transaction had been conducted in good faith but acknowledged the lengthy wait and apologised to Bonsu for the inconvenience.

“The Authority, however, acknowledges the long-waiting time it took before the passenger received service and extends its sincere apologies to Ms. Gifty Osei Bonsu for the inconvenience arising from the delayed service,” it said.

The authority said it had introduced alternative procedures for handling transactions during system interruptions and was reviewing operating procedures governing customs officers’ interactions with passengers at entry points.

The review will focus on professional communication, transparent duty assessments and collections, and proper documentation, it said.

The GRA also plans to intensify public education on goods subject to duty, how charges are calculated, approved payment channels and procedures for challenging assessments.

It said it was developing a passenger-facing process to provide clearer information on customs requirements, concessions, payment and receipts, as well as channels for clarification and complaints.

The authority urged travellers carrying dutiable goods to request assessment notices, pay through approved channels and insist on official receipts.