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Beware of fake travel agents! …swindled businessman recounts ordeal
● Our Reporter, Dzifa Tetteh Tay interviewing Mr Bright Mawuli
Imagine paying a significant amount of money to a Travel Agent to take you from Ghana to Dubai and also get you a job only to get there to shockingly realise that your Agent hasn’t made any provision for your transportation even from the Dubai Airport not to talk of accommodation or a job.
That was what happened to 29 year old Business Man, Bright Mawuli in December last year.
In an interview with The Spectator on Wednesday to caution the youth to be wary of deceptive Travel Agents, he said he couldn’t believe he had been swindled as he stood helplessly at the Airport in another country.
His dream of going to Dubai to seek greener pastures by working with a transport company had obviously been crushed – for hours he said he did not know what to do.
According to him, the Travel Agent had given him the impression that every paper work had been finalised and the job was a done deal “but I got to the airport and the Agent wouldn’t even pick my calls” he said.
Mr. Mawuli said some concerned Ghanaians in Dubai helped him to leave the Airport and even took care of him for a while.
“I later realised that I was not the only victim. There were over 150 Ghanaians who had found themselves in that situation with no means to stay there or come back home” he disclosed.
He said many Ghanaian youth and other nationals were stranded in Dubai and sleeping on the streets.
“They spread their cloths and use their bags as pillows. We call such people “Agent Rejected “, he said.
The victim said the turn of events got him “depressed and traumatised ” because he could not believe he had been defrauded and the thought that it was a helpless situation made him feel sick.
He said upon interaction with other Ghanaians he found out that some Travel Agents had processed fake documents for unsuspecting clients only to put them in a terrible situation.
“You will never know an Agent is fake until you become a victim. In fact, some Ghanaians who do not even have legitimate documents claimed to be Agents there “describing the state of affairs as wide spread.
He questioned how a person could give what he or she did not have.
Mr. Mawuli said but for some friends who were constantly encouraging him that everything would be fine, the development could have affected his mental health.
He recalled some occasions, he couldn’t afford food and had to starve for three days.
When asked whether he intended taking legal action against the Travel Agent who defrauded him, he said he had decided to leave everything to God.
He advised people who desired to travel outside for greener pastures to make sure that a thorough background check was done about the Travel Agency and their staff before making payment.
“Do a comprehensive research about the company where you have been promised that you would work there. Trust your instincts and also pray over and over about your decision to travel because all fingers are not equal” he cautioned.
MrMawuli said that sometimes considering the amount of money people paid to Travelling Agents, it was best to start something in Ghana instead of travelling.
He has, therefore, made a passionate appeal on behalf of the many homeless Ghanaian youth in Dubai to the Government and public spirited persons to help in evacuating them back home.
“Many of the people in Dubai who have been duped by Travel Agents wish to come back home but do not have the means. I will be glad if they could get help to do so” he said.
Mr Mawuli said he was fortunate to come back home because he got in touch with a Social Media Influencer called Nana Tea who facilitated his coming home with the help of some good people recently.
He currently drives an Uber for a living, hoping to get his life back on track.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, AdjeiKojo.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
