Richard Asare Larbi, a Ghanaian who returned home after eight years abroad, has publicly condemned his treatment at Kotoka International Airport on December 5, describing it as humiliating and unjust.
Larbi, who spent eight years in Dubai, arrived in Ghana carrying 15 iPhone XR units valued at GH₵1,340 each, intended as Christmas gifts for family members. Before traveling, he sought assurances from Dubai immigration, customs, and his airline that he could legally bring that number of phones into Ghana, all of whom confirmed it was permitted.
“I asked Dubai Immigration, Dubai Customs, and even the airline to confirm whether I could travel with 15 phones. They all told me the same thing: Yes, it is allowed. Fifteen is the maximum number,” he explained.
However, upon arrival, Larbi alleges that a customs officer named Mr. Sasu seized his luggage forcefully, scattered his belongings, and informed him that the phones were confiscated unless he paid GH₵12,690.63.
“The moment I arrived in Ghana, a Customs officer named Mr. Sasu forcibly seized my bags, scattered my belongings on the floor, and told me the phones had been “confiscated” unless I paid GHS 12,690.63,” he stressed.
Despite repeatedly explaining that the phones were gifts, Larbi says he was detained for three hours, facing humiliation and delay.
“I explained over and over that these were gifts. But nobody cared, nobody listened. They still detained me for 3 hours, wasting my time, humiliating me, and ruining the joy of coming home after 8 long years,” Larbi cried out.
In a statement expressing his distress, Larbi emphasized the disparity in treatment he witnessed, noting that other travelers including white foreigners and Ghanaians passed through without similar scrutiny or demands.
“Instead of being welcomed home, I was extorted, humiliated, and forced into debt. I am deeply disappointed and saddened. We cannot continue like this.”
He described the treatment as discriminatory and likened it to being treated “like slaves and criminals” in his own country.
To resolve the situation, Larbi had to borrow money from a friend to pay the demanded sum, lamenting that the ordeal turned what should have been a joyful homecoming into a painful and costly experience.
He has called on the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs, Immigration, Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), and other relevant bodies to investigate the incident and refund the charges he deem unfair.
Larbi advocates for reforms to prevent such alleged extortion and discrimination against ordinary Ghanaians at the airport.
He urged, “No Ghanaian should suffer this kind of extortion and discrimination in their own homeland.
“We deserve better. The poor and average Ghanaian deserves better,” Larbi concluded.
Read the full statement:
Ghana I am ashamed 😢
“My name is Richard Asare Larbi
I am heartbroken to share what happened to me at Kotoka International Airport on 5th December 2025.
After eight long years away from Ghana, eight years of sacrifice, hard work, and dreams of coming home, I finally came home from Dubai filled with joy and excitement to see my family. I brought 15 pieces of iPhone XR (each phone cost GHs 1340) as Christmas gifts for my loved ones. Before travelling, I made sure to do everything right.
I asked Dubai Immigration, Dubai Customs, and even the airline to confirm whether I could travel with 15 phones. They all told me the same thing: Yes, it is allowed. Fifteen is the maximum number.
But the moment I arrived in Ghana, a Customs officer named Mr. Sasu forcibly seized my bags, scattered my belongings on the floor, and told me the phones had been “confiscated” unless I paid GHS 12,690.63.
I explained over and over that these were gifts. But nobody cared, nobody listened. They still detained me for 3 hours, wasting my time, humiliating me, and ruining the joy of coming home after 8 long years. I had to call a friend to borrow the amount, or I would still be stuck at the airport with my luggage seized.
What hurts even more? The white travellers before and after me, and the Ghanaian travellers, were not questioned at all. They were greeted and allowed to pass freely, while we, citizens of our own country, were treated like slaves and criminals.
This experience ruined what was supposed to be a joyful return home after eight years. Instead of being welcomed home, I was extorted, humiliated, and forced into debt. I am deeply disappointed and saddened. We cannot continue like this.
Please help me call on the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs, immigration, GACL, and relevant authorities to investigate and refund this unjust charge.
No Ghanaian should suffer this kind of extortion and discrimination in their own homeland.
We deserve better. The poor and average Ghanaian deserves better.
I will be very grateful if this message gets read and spread to social media and reaches the authorities for action to be taken”
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
