Student Leaves Ghana for Guyana, Ends Up in Goiania

Gabe Zaldivar
by Gabe Zaldivar
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Thu February 26, 2015

Image via YouTube

We've all been where Emmanuel Akomanyi was recently, in a land between lost and befuddled. Although, our bad sense of direction never took us 3,000 kilometers out of the way and never in Goiania.

CNN's Frances Cha reports the young man had just received a scholarship to study medicine in Guyana, mandating he leave his home of Ghana.

As Cha writes, there wasn't a direct flight, "so he boarded a plane in Ghana to Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil."

As a graphic shows, there is a sizable difference in distance from where Akomanyi actually ended up: "But when he got off the plane, he was not in Guyana -- he was in the city of Goiania, Brazil -- almost 3,000 kilometers away from where he needed to go."

CNN has a video report of the incident:

Remember, any and all travel mishaps can be avoided by taking a left turn at Albuquerque.

The peculiar story has a heartwarming conclusion as Akomanyi reportedly lived a week off the goodwill of strangers in Goiania, which we have to stress are not strangers who live in Guyana.

Eventually Akomanyi received a ticket from his original airline for Guyana, which also came with an impromptu and important geographic lesson for us all.

Now before you dismiss this as an isolated incident, Cha has a number of stories featuring travelers who embarked like Kevin McCallister for an unintended destination.

There was, for example, the unfortunate case of the couple that wanted to get to Dakar, Senegal but accidentally ended up in Dakar, Bangladesh.

It all serves to remind you to check your itinerary, and then check it again. In fact, you might want to check it once more after that as well.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Watch Now!
Discover KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesThursday, June 4, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Travel Weekly and Air France-KLM for deep dive into the world of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. You’ll...
Upcoming Webinar
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean GetawaysWednesday, June 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
This exclusive webinar will showcase what’s new, what’s next, and how these immersive itineraries are...
Upcoming Webinar
Small Groups, Big AdventuresThursday, June 18, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Trafalgar and Insight Vacations for an exclusive launch webinar introducing 56 new Small Group...
Watch Now!
Discover KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesThursday, June 4, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Travel Weekly and Air France-KLM for deep dive into the world of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. You’ll...
Upcoming Webinar
Unveiling Oceania Cruises’ New Voyages, Plus Caribbean GetawaysWednesday, June 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
This exclusive webinar will showcase what’s new, what’s next, and how these immersive itineraries are...
Upcoming Webinar
Small Groups, Big AdventuresThursday, June 18, 2026
2:00pm ET
Join Trafalgar and Insight Vacations for an exclusive launch webinar introducing 56 new Small Group...