Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Ghana’s proud aviation hub and the first impression many travelers have of our nation, is teetering on the edge of a full-blown security crisis. Once a symbol of modern progress in West Africa, it is now rapidly becoming a haven for criminal activity, institutional neglect, and impunity.

A Gateway Turned Free-for-All

Instead of offering passengers a sense of safety and order, KIA has become fertile ground for exploitation. Unauthorized porters and shady individuals roam freely across critical zones—arrivals, parking areas, and baggage claim—with little oversight. Vehicles parked in supposedly “secure” areas are left vulnerable to tampering and theft. And when incidents occur, victims are left to fend for themselves in a system that shrugs at accountability.

A Personal Encounter with Dysfunction

I experienced this chaos firsthand. After parking my Range Rover in the VIP lot before a short domestic trip to Kumasi, I returned to find my side mirrors stolen. Reporting it to airport security was a waste of breath. CCTV footage? “Not functional,” they said. Investigation? None. Responsibility? Absent.

Days later, returning from an international trip, I found my Toyota Sequoia tampered with too—this time, more vital parts stripped away. These are not isolated cases. Talk to frequent travelers and you’ll hear similar horror stories.

A Failing Infrastructure, A Failing System

How many more people must lose property before change happens? Theft, extortion, and lawlessness at Kotoka are no longer rumours—they are daily realities. With non-functioning cameras, unregulated access to secure zones, and unaccountable staff, KIA’s foundations are rotting.

Ghana’s Reputation on the Line

Airports are more than transport terminals—they are symbols of national pride and gateways to opportunity. If Ghana’s main international airport is perceived as unsafe and corrupt, it undermines not just passenger confidence but our international standing as a regional hub.

The Path Forward: Reform or Ruin

Kotoka cannot be allowed to sink further. Urgent reforms are non-negotiable:

1. Fix Surveillance: Get every CCTV camera working and ensure real-time monitoring with rapid response.

2. Clean Up Access: Remove unauthorized personnel from restricted zones.

3. Demand Accountability: Management and staff must answer for every security lapse.

4. Protect Passengers: Visible patrols, awareness campaigns, and a culture of safety are long overdue.

A Call to Leadership

Ghana deserves an airport that mirrors its aspirations, not one that endangers its people and embarrasses its image. The question is simple: will those in charge rise to the occasion—or will Kotoka continue its slide into chaos?

The world is watching. The time to act is now.