How KIA officials seized a Ghanaian’s gold ring, bangle for Gold-for-Oil policy – Kwesi Pratt Reveals

Ghanaian Senior Journalist and Editor of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has disclosed a disheartening incident involving a fellow Ghanaian traveler at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). According to Pratt, airport officials seized a Ghanaian man’s gold ring and bangles, justifying their actions with the nation’s financial struggles and the government’s implementation of the ‘Gold-for-Oil’ policy under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Pratt recounted the incident, stating, “A Ghanaian man was departing the country, and upon reaching the Kotoka International Airport, his gold ring and bracelets were confiscated.” He continued, “KIA officials informed him that the nation’s financial situation necessitated the use of his valuables to acquire oil.”

On September 15, 2023, Kwesi Pratt Jnr took to Facebook to share this distressing account, revealing that he had learned of the incident from the man’s sister, who serves in the Ghana Police Service.

He recalled the conversation with the concerned sister, saying, “I initially doubted her story until she provided me with the seizure documents. To my astonishment, they had indeed taken possession of the man’s belongings.” Pratt added that, following his advice, a police officer reached out to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), who confirmed the seizure of the gold ring and bracelets. Regrettably, as of now, these items have not been returned to their rightful owner.”