The proposed US$7 per passenger fee for the fumigation of bags at Ghana's Kotoka International Airport has been rejected by Kwame Governs Agbodza, the member of parliament from the Volta Region's Adaklu Constituency.
The decision by the Ghana Health Service is without foundation and would simply increase the cost of air travel, according to Mr. Agbodza, who is also the Minority Chief Whip in the Ghanaian Parliament and a longtime ranking member on the Transport Committee.
"I believe that this is completely needless. You already know that the airline industry and allied industries are still working to recover, and that most flight tickets are very expensive. I doubt that the administration or any of its agencies requested clearance for any taxes from Parliament. Furthermore, only Parliament has the authority to establish taxes, fees, and levies. In light of this, I think the government should back off if GHS really does want to charge an extra $7 or more. This must not happen because it is insensitive.
Travelers and airlines are already having difficulties. After the industry has had time to recuperate, we can talk about it. As things stand, no law is in place that would permit the government to charge travelers an additional $7 (for bag fumigation).
The legislature's remarks come after the Ghana Health Service persuaded airlines to tack on US$7 per passenger to each foreign flight sold and send the money to the government agency as a fee for luggage fumigation.
According to sources at thetransporteronline24, on June 22, 2023, in Accra, the Ghana Airports Corporation Limited informed airlines serving Kotoka International Airport of the GHS's decision.
The decision of the GHS was contested by airlines, who are still recuperating from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also cited the absence of local legislation for the proposed price as justification.
If it goes into effect, the US$7 fumigation fee will force up airfares even further, which are already high due to high fuel prices for airplanes, a weak local currency, and a general economic depression since last year.
Over a three-year period, the COVID-19 pandemic's effects cost the industry almost US$180 billion. But according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), this year's recovery will result in US$2.25 in income per passenger. Compared to last year, when there was a loss of -1.1 dollars per passenger, this is a huge improvement.
Most foreign airlines have started operating again on routes they closed last year in Ghana, although they have not yet reached the levels of performance seen in 2019. Ghana will bill $7 each passenger to fumigate bags at Kotoka International Airport.
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