Ghana to South Africa travelers allege Ethiopian Airlines demands $100 Security Deposit
ACCRA, GHANA – Ethiopian Airlines is facing increasing scrutiny from passengers travelling from Ghana to South Africa, with multiple individuals alleging that the airline’s officials in Ghana are demanding a $100 “security deposit” before boarding. Passengers claim they are told this money will be refunded upon their return to Ghana, a promise many say goes unfulfilled, leading to growing frustration and a shift away from the airline.
The accusations, brought to light by Thepressradio.com, paint a troubling picture for travellers on this popular route. Numerous victims have stepped forward, sharing consistent accounts of being pressured to pay the additional sum at the point of departure.
“They told me it was for security purposes, especially because I was a first-time traveler from Ghana to South Africa,” recounted one victim who recently made the journey. This individual, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid potential future travel complications, bravely refused to pay the alleged deposit. This refusal reportedly led to a confrontation with airline officials, who insisted the fee was specifically for first-time travellers, particularly in light of the recently implemented visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa.
The visa waiver agreement, which became effective on November 1, 2023, allows citizens of both countries to travel for tourism or business for up to 90 days without requiring a visa. This agreement was widely celebrated as a move to boost trade and tourism, making the alleged “security deposit” even more perplexing and contradictory to the spirit of eased travel.
However, the narrative put forth by Ethiopian Airlines officials in Ghana appears inconsistent. Another victim interviewed by Thepressradio.com revealed they had paid the same $100 fee as far back as 2019, long before the recent visa waiver came into effect. This contradicts the claim that the fee is a new measure specifically tied to first-time travellers under the new visa-free arrangement. It suggests a potentially long-standing, unstated policy or practice within the Ghanaian operations of the airline.
When Thepressradio.com reached out to Ethiopian Airlines’ head office in Ethiopia for clarification, the response was a categorical denial. Officials stated they were unaware of such a policy and that no such “security deposit” is mandated by the airline. This creates a significant discrepancy between the alleged actions of local ground staff in Ghana and the official policy of the airline’s corporate headquarters.
The lack of transparency and the apparent contradiction in explanations are causing significant concern among the travelling public. Many Ghanaians now report actively avoiding Ethiopian Airlines for their trips to South Africa, opting for alternative carriers to circumvent the alleged arbitrary charges and the uncertainty of a promised refund.
This situation raises critical questions about accountability and consumer protection. Is this a localized practice by individual staff members or a broader unwritten policy being enforced without official sanction? How are passengers to seek redress for the allegedly un-refunded deposits if the head office denies its existence?
As Ghanaian travellers continue to navigate the complexities of international travel, the alleged actions of Ethiopian Airlines officials in Accra are undermining trust and confidence. Thepressradio.com will continue to monitor this developing story and urges both Ghanaian aviation authorities and Ethiopian Airlines’ global management to thoroughly investigate these serious allegations to ensure fair and transparent practices for all passengers. Travellers deserve clarity and assurance that their journey will not be burdened by unstated and potentially unrecoverable fees.
Source: Thepressradio.com
