.... In London Deepens Over Refunds

Controversy has seriously generated between disappointed passengers of the defunct Ghana International Airline (GIA)??and Travel Agencies in the United Kingdom especially in London over the payment of refunds of travel tickets. This follows an announcement by the Government of Ghana on the release of money to settle all refunds. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport and Communications “the government has settled all validated claims for refund of passengers and travellers who purchased tickets but could not travel on the defunct Ghana International Airlines Limited (GIAL)” but the disappointed passengers claim Travel Agencies are denying receiving monies to that effect or have been notified of any such development.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Transport in Accra recently further noted “the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, under the directive of President John Evans Atta Mills, had released GH¢1,306,077.89 for the settlement of the remaining validated claims.”

More than one thousand disappointed passengers who were unable to fly to Accra from London due to the unexpected closure of the airline in the summer of last year have over the months struggled to have their refunds but to no avail.

A report published in a section of the Ghanaian media on the refund which stated in part “A directive to that effect, signed by Dr Kwabena Duffour, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, on March 18, 2011, authorised the Controller and Accountant General to release the amount to enable the Ministry of Transport to pay validated outstanding refund to Travel and Tour Operators for onward payment of the cost of ticket to the affected passengers,” has aggravated the situation and incensed the aggrieved passengers including some foreign nationals to fight all odds to get their refunds.

Last Saturday a group of some the disappointed passengers held a meeting to stategise to get back their refunds. The meeting followed what they claim as “disappointing news” from some of the Travel Agencies that the monies released to them could not pay all the refunds. Other Travel Agencies claimed that have no idea about any refunds.

The group reiterated their plans to demonstrate in the city of London to press home their determination to get their monies back. They claim the situation is becoming too ambiguous to deal with, as they do not know exactly where the problem is. One of the victims, Mrs. Francisca Badu, said in an interview, we do not know who is telling the truth, The Government says it has released the money, but the Travel Agents are denying that. Those who say they have received monies from the government are claiming they did not receive enough to pay all of us. Who do we believe now?” She enquired.

The major fear of the disappointed passengers as expressed in separate interviews was that some of the Travel Agencies have folded up and have no means of contacting them.

For instance, Mrs. Catharine Joseph who purchased two travel tickets cost more than thousand five hundred Pounds (£1500.00) for herself and the son Katakyie Adu-Boahene Adjeikum, 15 years said she could not trace the International Flight Limited because their phone number was no longer working and their offices were also closed when she visited the place.

She said the last time she managed to talk to an official of the Agency on the phone she was directed to talk to one Omari in Accra who could not provide any assistance.

One of the victims, Mr. Frederick Badu who also purchase four travel tickets worth more than two thousand Pounds (2,000.00) said the Olympic Global Travel where he bought the tickets is no more functioning and expressed the fear of loosing his money.

Mr. Samuel Sare who purchased his ticket from the Frontline Travels in South London said he has been told by officials of the Frontline Travel that the money released to them regarding the refund was not enough to meet the required refund for all affected passengers and that a letter has been sent to Accra for clarification on who should be paid or otherwise.

The situation is gradually getting worse as it was learnt during the investigation that in one instance there was a fracas between a victim and officials of a Travel Agency which resulted in the intervention of the police.

Travel Agencies contacted were tight lipped on the issue saying they would response at the appropriate time.

Hitherto they were responding to enquiries on this matter but after this development, some of them are demonstrating feet-dragging tactics.