It’s about time Ghana international airways refund case was referred to bureau of national investigations (BNI)

How long must Ghana International Airlines Limited (GIAL) passengers wait before receiving their refunds? It’s ironic that despite several complains and appeals to both the Office of the President and the Ministry of Transport NOTHING has been done about the Ghana International Airways refund case. The national airline suspended operations on the 13th of May 2011 and at the time of writing several passengers still remain UNPAID despite all the government claims.

The Ghana Government’s claims that money has been released to settle all refunds are not wholly accurate. At the heat of GIAL suspension, a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport informed the public that “the government has settled all validated claims for refund of passengers and travelers who purchased tickets but could not travel on the defunct Ghana International Airlines Limited (GIAL)” Another statement issued in March 2012 by the Ministry of Transport in Accra also 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.” Reports published in a section of the Ghanaian media on the GIAL 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, authorising the Controller and Accountant General to release the amount to enable the Ministry of Transport to pay validated outstanding refund.”

Contrarily to the above claims, travel agents (e.g. Mr. George Newman of defunct Circle Travel London) had denied receiving all monies. Others affected by the GIAL saga believed that the statements were issued to generate controversy between passengers and travel agents.

Below are some of the passengers who are still waiting for their refunds Miss Maysel 0208 894 2490 Miss Wendy Boakye 0208 680 0778 Miss Janet Welsh 0208 239 1907 (07500721597) Mrs Opoku 0794 191 6616 Mrs Twum Barimah 0208 684 8684 Miss Adwoa Tiwaa Mr Francis Agyei Miss Victoria Takyi Mr John Amoah Miss Mary Owusu Miss C Anark Mr J Nkrumah Mr T Auahene-Orlando

The refund delay is adding hardships to already frustrated and disappointed Ghanaians and foreigners and has thrown dark shadow on future governments’ capability to operate another airline. It’s about time the case was referred to BNI for further investigation.