The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has debunked claims of extortion involving Customs officers at the Kotoka International Airport over a GH¢807.68 duty payment.

The GRA said its preliminary investigation established that the amount assessed on the passenger's goods was fully paid into its revenue account on the same day.

The Authority was responding to social media posts by Ms Gifty Osei Bonsu about her encounter with Customs officers at the airport on October 3, 2026.

According to the GRA, Ms Bonsu arrived at the airport on an Egypt Air flight at about 12:48 p.m. and was referred to the Red Channel after her luggage was selected for further checks.

Customs officers found 20 pairs of new women's shoes, nine new women's dresses, 18 new men's shirts and four new wigs in her luggage.

The officers assessed GH¢807.68 in duty on the 20 pairs of women's shoes.

However, the GRA said a temporary downtime of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) prevented Customs from processing the payment and issuing an official receipt at the time.

The passenger, who had another flight to catch, deposited GH¢600, while a friend deposited GH¢200 on her behalf, bringing the amount paid at the time to GH¢800.

The GRA said the passenger left before the system was restored and a receipt could be issued.

It said the full GH¢807.68 was subsequently paid into the GRA revenue account at Ecobank at 4:57 p.m. on the same day.

The payment was supported by receipt number 2610033274, which was generated in the passenger's name.

The Authority also said Customs officers used their personal funds to top up the outstanding GH¢7.68.

The GRA said the transaction was conducted in good faith and that the duty had been fully accounted for.

“GRA acknowledges that a system downtime should not result in undue inconvenience, uncertainty or an unpleasant experience for passengers,” the Authority said.

It apologised for the delay caused by the system interruption and said it was reviewing its procedures for handling system downtimes.

The GRA said it was also reviewing its standard operating procedures on officer-passenger engagement, communication, transparency and documentation.

It further said it would intensify public education on dutiable goods, duty assessment, payment procedures and avenues for complaints or disagreements.

The Authority advised travellers to insist on receiving assessment notices and official receipts and to make payments only through approved channels.

“GRA remains committed to fair, transparent and professional Customs administration,” the statement said.