Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, Nana Ama McBrown and Baaba Cann have clashed over the suspension of traditional drumming and dancing welcomes at Accra's airport.

Published 10 Nov 2026, 08:46 GMT

2 min read

A cultural troupe welcomes arriving passengers at an airport terminal (file photo) — A cultural welcome at the airport (file photo)

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Entertainment pundits and media personalities have split over a decision by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to suspend cultural drumming and dancing welcomes at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

"Without prior approval and authorisation, you will not be allowed unto the premises," GACL stated in the directive, explaining that the measure was aimed at curbing disruptions to airport operations and passenger movement in arrival areas.

Speaking on UTV's *United Showbiz* on Sunday, November 8, entertainment critic Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo faulted the manner in which the company suspended the cultural showcases, describing the move as "unprofessional".

Entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo — Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo — Credit: GhanaWeb

While conceding that GACL is the custodian of Kotoka International Airport with full authority to halt activities that interfere with air travel and safety, Asamoah-Baidoo argued that management should have consulted the cultural troupes and partners who pay to operate at the terminal.

“If the company is taking such a drastic decision, I think it is only fair to involve those partners and explain why it wants to suspend the activity, especially when they pay for it,” he said.

He added that rather than imposing an outright suspension that hurts revenue-generation efforts at the airport, management should have worked with operators to fix the operational challenges: “When something generates revenue and there are challenges, what you do is find ways to fix them.”

By contrast, media personality Nana Ama backed the restriction on the same programme, arguing that travellers' privacy, comfort and security must take priority over terminal performances.

Nana Ama said some arriving passengers prefer to pass through the airport quietly without being surrounded by dancers, citing South Africa to warn that airport security concerns such as pickpocketing can damage a country's tourism image despite its attractions.

Media personality Baaba Cann opposed the suspension, arguing that cutting back airport cultural welcomes undermines Ghana's drive to attract international tourists and showcase its heritage.

Comparing arrival performances to New Zealand's Māori *Pōwhiri* welcome ceremony and *Haka Pōwhiri* dance, Cann said traditional displays give visitors a lasting first impression of national identity and hospitality immediately upon landing.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

Airport cultural welcomes suspended: creatives split over GACL decision

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