The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the CyberSecurity Authority, has launched an investigation into viral social media videos alleging that some diasporans were kidnapped and extorted by individuals purported to be members of the Ghana Police Service during their stay in the country.
The statement follows the circulation of several videos online, including one in which a bearded man of African descent opens with the striking line, “Ghana is the only country where you get robbed by the police.” According to the GTA, the individuals making the allegations are U.S. citizens of African descent.
The Authority stressed that both the Police Service and the CyberSecurity Authority are treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves, noting that such allegations threaten Ghana’s hard-earned reputation for hospitality. The public, it assured, will be duly informed once the investigations are concluded.
This development emerges just as Ghana prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the annual “Detty December” festive season, an internationally recognized period known for its non-stop music concerts, cultural festivals, tourism activities, and a booming hospitality and entertainment economy that supports job creation and generates significant revenue.
The GTA urged the public, members of the diaspora in Ghana, and all travelers arriving for the season to remain calm as the security agencies conduct their investigations. It reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to host visitors in a secure environment.
“We urge the public to remain calm and allow the security agencies to complete their investigations. Visitors who require assistance or wish to make enquiries may contact GTA on 0579579019, 030 700 7100, or reach us via WhatsApp on 0546352240,” the Authority stated.
One of the alleged victims, a woman featured in one of the viral videos, claimed that officers searched her and her Ghanaian friend, inspecting their bags. They ordered her into their vehicle and became hostile whenever she asked questions. According to her account, the officers handcuffed her friend, and threatened that she would be arrested and barred from returning to the United States.
She further alleged that the officers forced her to an ATM to withdraw as much as she can for them. She said she withdrew $150 and handed it over, after which the officers attempted to extort an additional cash amounting to $400.
Despite these troubling claims, Ghana’s tourism indicators continue to show strong growth. According to the Ghana Tourism Authority’s Growth and Stability Report 2024, Nigerian arrivals, often part of the friendly rivalry over which country enjoys the best “Detty December”, increased by 25%, reaching 111,581 visitors.
This placed Nigeria third among the top visitor-source countries, behind the United States (137,862 visitors) and the United Kingdom (52,845 visitors).
Overall, Ghana recorded 1,681,985 tourist entries in 2024, representing a 19% growth compared to 1,407,709 entries in 2023, reflecting its continued rise as one of Africa’s most attractive tourism destinations.
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