Ethiopian Airlines Prohibits the Use of Popular Ghana Must Go Bags for Baggage

Ethiopian Airlines has decided to ban the use of "Ghana Must Go" bags on their flights in Nigeria. These bags got their nickname in the 1980s when a large number of undocumented immigrants, many of whom were from Ghana, were expelled from Nigeria. These individuals were commonly seen fleeing with red and blue checked bags on their backs. However, the airline has now cited potential damages to airport equipment as the reason for the ban. They claim that the frequent occurrence of damages to conveyor belts at various airports has resulted in significant costs for the airlines involved. There is an exception to the ban, which allows the bags to be used if they are properly packed in a carton or hardcover rectangular container. Ethiopia Airlines operates multiple domestic and regional routes from Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub. These bags, also known as Nigeria bags in Kenya and Botswana bags in Zimbabwe, are widely popular across Africa and other parts of the world. In 2017, KLM and Air France also imposed a ban on these bags due to concerns that they could unravel and cause disruptions in baggage delivery systems.