Ghana recorded about 10% drop in the number of foreign nationals that visited the country in 2014, compared to the number in 2013, as a result of the Ebola scare and the rolling power cuts, popularly called ‘Dumsor’.

Foreigners’ arrivals dropped from 547,263 in 2013 to 503,996 in 2014, a reduction of 49,449.

The drop in foreigners’ arrivals could have serious consequences for the Ghanaian economy, which is already going through serious challenges. The drop in passengers could also be partly responsible for some international airlines folding up in Ghana.

German airline, Lufthansa, has informed government of its intention to pull out of Ghana from October 1, this year.

It will be recalled that Brussels Airlines pulled out of Ghana some two years ago.

The drop in foreigners’ arrivals also has serious implications for expected proceeds from tourism.

Data compiled by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) indicated that the 2014 Ghanaian arrivals of 270,694 is 2,467 or 0.92% more than the 2013 Ghanaian arrivals of 268,227.

The report noted that more foreign nationals arrived in 2013 than in 2014. On the other hand, more Ghanaians came home in 2014 than in 2013.

On departures, the report stated that 333,084 Ghanaians departed in 2013, which is 32,808 or 10.93% more than the 2014 Ghanaian departures of 300,276.

Also, the 2013 other nationals’ departures reached 511,245, which is 7,249 or 1.44% more than the 2014 other nationals’ departures of 503,996.

There was, therefore, higher departure traffic in 2013 than in 2014. In the year 2014, a total of 300,276 Ghanaians departed, representing 29,582 or 10.93% more than the 268,227 that arrived.

For other nationals, 503,996 departed, which is 6,182 foreigners or 1.24% than the 497,814 that arrived.

In both categories, there were more departures in 2014.

The 2013 total arrivals of 815,490 is 46,982 or 6.11% more than the 2014 total arrivals of 768,508.

Furthermore, the 2013 total departures of 844,329 is 40,057 or 4.98% more than the 2014 total departures of 804,272.

Therefore, for both arrivals and departures, 2013 generated a higher traffic than 2014.

It could be surmised that the EBOLA crisis could have reduced traffic to the country.

This is especially significant considering that conferences and large gatherings were suspended by the government.

Statistics from January to December 2014



Revenue returns for 2014

The total revenue the command collected on behalf of the service in 2014 was $983,020 and GH¢1,948,419.

Below is the total revenue collected on behalf of the service from January to December 2014.