Ghana Immigration Service refutes claims of $240million cost for E-Gates at KIA

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has categorically dismissed claims circulating on social media that the recently installed electronic gates (e-gates) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost the nation $240 million. 

In a press release issued on Thursday, December 19, 2024, the GIS clarified that the actual cost of the e-gates is $1.7 million.

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Clarification on costs

"The e-Gate system alone (comprising 15 units of e-gates with accessories), which forms part of the border management system being installed at KIA, costs $1.7 million (i.e., $1,760,479.80),” the GIS stated.  

The statement further explained that the $240 million figure relates to the entire lifecycle cost of the Immigration 360 system, a new integrated border management system being implemented at 48 entry points across the country.  

The GIS elaborated that the $240 million includes periodic upgrades, maintenance, licensing, and taxes over a 10-year period to ensure the system’s efficiency. “After accounting for VAT and other taxes, the total comes to $274 million, which includes maintenance and hands-on support services over a ten-year period to guarantee the system is operational around-the-clock,” the release added.  

Details of the Immigration 360 system

The Immigration 360 system aims to automate passenger processing and data management at all approved entry and exit points to Ghana. It is designed to address challenges with sovereignty, interoperability, and inadequacies in existing systems.  

The GIS also highlighted the system's capability to integrate with local databases such as the National Identification System (NIS) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), as well as international systems like INTERPOL’s Global Stop/Watch List and ICAO’s Public Key Directory.  

“This integrated approach will enhance travel, trade, and security,” the statement noted.  

Pre-financed implementation  

The GIS revealed that the implementation cost of $94.6 million for phase one of the Immigration 360 system is being pre-financed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a local Ghanaian company. Repayments will be sourced from revenue generated by the system’s operations.  

Response to minority allegations 

The GIS’s response comes amid allegations from the Minority in Parliament, who claimed the government entered into a $147 million deal for the e-gates at KIA. 

The Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, described the agreement as a “blatant case of create, loot, and share,” questioning why an e-gate system would cost nearly as much as the airport’s $250 million construction.  

The Minority has demanded a halt to the project and a review of its financial implications, raising broader concerns about transparency in public procurement.  

The GIS assured the public of its commitment to prudent resource management, emphasising that the implementation of Immigration 360 is part of a broader strategy to modernise Ghana’s border management processes and improve efficiency at all entry points. 

Read the entire statement below;
 
GHANA IMMIGRATION SERVICE 

PRESS RELEASE

RESPONSE BY GHANA IMMIGRATION SERVICE TO FALSE CLAIMS ON THE COST OF E-GATES SYSTEM INSTALLED AT THE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KIA)

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has noted with great concern false claims circulating on social media and other platforms suggesting that the e-Gates System deployed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra costs the taxpayer $240 million.

The GIS wishes to clarify the facts and provide the public with accurate information regarding the e-Gates System and its associated costs:

1. It is inaccurate that the e-Gate system installed at the KIA cost a total amount of $240 million dollars.

2. The Ghana Immigration Service is implementing a new integrated border management system known as the “Immigration 360”. The system seeks to fully automate passenger processing and data management at all the forty-eight (48) approved entry/exit points to Ghana and other operational commands. The new system seeks to address challenges with sovereignty, interoperability and other inadequacies associated with the existing systems installed at twelve (12) approved borders. 

3. The total cost of the new “Immigration 360” border management system is $94.6 million (i.e., $94,664,374.57).

4. As part of Phase One (1) of the project, the GIS is installing border management systems including an e-Gate component at the KIA which is geared at enhancing smooth passenger clearance and processing. This whole component for the KIA comprising the immigration control systems and the e-gates cost $5.5 million (i.e., $5,548,860.89).

5. The e-Gate system alone (comprising 15 units of e-Gates with accessories) which form part of the border management system being installed at KIA costs $1.7 million (i.e., $1,760,479.80). 

6. The $240 million referenced in the circulating article on social media is in relation to the whole cycle cost of the project (including the initial implementation cost of $94,664,374.57). 

7. The $240 million includes two (2) periodic wholesale upgrades of the critical components of the system and cost of maintenance and licenses over the 10-year cycle of the project. 

8. The first upgrade type is in three (3) replacement cycles of key components of the system. The second upgrade type is two (2) 5-year upgrade cycles within ten (10) years to replace major components of the technical infrastructure. This is to ensure a refresh of the system at all times and to ensure the hand back of a brand-new system at the end of the ten-year period. 

9. After accounting for VAT and other taxes, the total comes to $274 million, which includes maintenance and hands-on support services over a ten-year period to guarantee the system is operational around-the-clock.

10. It is worth noting that the Immigration 360 provides the benefits of integrating seamlessly with:
(i) Local Databases: 
• Ghana’s National Identification System (NIS)
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
• National Stop/Watch List, and
(ii) International Systems: 
INTERPOL’s Global Stop/Watch List
• ICAO’s Public Key Directory (PKD)
• Advanced Passenger Information (API) 
• Passenger Name Record (PNR)
• Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) which facilitate travel, trade and security.

11. The system developed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a private, local Ghanaian company, offers the capabilities to also integrate the various visas and permits issued by the GIS with the border controls processes across the country. 
12. It is important to note that, Margins ID Systems Application Ltd (MIDSA) is pre-financing the implementation cost of $94,664,374.57 and will be repaid from revenue that will accrue from the use of the system. 

SGD.
MAUD ANIMA QUIANOO
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF IMMIGRATION
SPECIAL DUTIES/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT