Passengers Duke It Out With Cops In Accra

Ghana Airways passengers stranded in Accra battled with police at the company's headquarters in Kotoka International Airport Monday.

Ghana was banned from flying in the US last week. The FAA cited poor maintenance and no permit as the reasons for grounding Ghana. Since then, as ANN has reported, more than 800 stranded passengers have piled up in Ghana Airways offices in Africa, the UK and the US.

The Ghanian Chronicle newspaper reports police received a call that protestors were holding hostages at the airline's headquarters, demanding compensation and accommodations.

The police action resulted in at least one injury. A 65-year old man who said he was in the office simply to ask about accommodations wound up in the hospital after apparently being bludgeoned by officers.

In the meantime, Ghana Airways has again apologized to stranded passengers. Airline executives said they had reached a lease agreement on an aircraft that the company could operate while its own small fleet remains grounded.

FMI: www.ghana-airways.com