VIDEO: Travellers laud Kotoka airport’s e-gates as a step forward
Some Ghanaians returning home through Kotoka International Airport (KIA) during the festive season have expressed excitement and satisfaction with the newly introduced electronic gates (e-gates) at the airport.
Launched by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia a few weeks ago, the e-gates form part of a digital border control system aimed at easing passenger processing.
Travellers can now use their Ghanacard to swiftly pass through the e-gates by scanning the card and undergoing biometric verification. The system eliminates the need for long queues, enhancing the efficiency of airport operations during peak travel periods.
Positive feedback from travellers
Speaking to journalists, some travellers commended the seamless nature of the e-gates. “I’m very delighted to be home. I went through the process—no glitches, no hitches—everything just went through. And it’s quite nice, actually, because when you travel around Europe and America, you see all of these happening and you’re like, when is it going to happen in my country. So hey, Ghana, akwaaba,” said an elated traveller.
Another traveller described the system as progress for Ghana, adding, “We are making progress, and I’m loving it. As long as you know what you’re doing, you put your card on the scanner, and it takes the information. At the second scanner, you just have to look into the camera, and the door opens. So I suspect it’s using some kind of infrared information.”
One user was particularly impressed with the speed of the system, stating, “It was just very fast; a micro-second.”
Commendations for leadership
Several travellers lauded Vice President Bawumia for spearheading the initiative. “Bawumia did it, but you did not vote for him. Bawumia is working,” one user remarked. Another traveller noted, “Very perfect. This is my first time using it, and I’m very happy. Thank you to whoever did this for Ghana.”
Another user added, “We should put politics aside. It works perfectly. It didn’t take me just like a minute, and it worked so perfectly.”
Broader digital vision
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) announced plans to expand the e-gates to other airports and entry points nationwide under a new integrated border management initiative called Immigration 360. This system aims to modernize Ghana’s border controls by automating passenger processing, integrating local and international databases, and enhancing security.
The Immigration 360 system, with a lifecycle cost of $240 million, will include periodic upgrades, maintenance, and licensing over a 10-year period. The first phase, implemented at KIA, is being pre-financed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a local company, at an initial cost of $94.6 million.
During the e-gates launch, Vice President Bawumia described the system as “world-class” and noted that it demonstrated Ghana’s ability to adopt advanced technologies often associated with developed nations.
Controversy over cost
The GIS has refuted claims circulating on social media that the e-gates at KIA cost $240 million. In a press release, the GIS clarified that the e-gate system, which includes 15 units with accessories, cost $1.7 million. The higher figure represents the total lifecycle cost of the broader Immigration 360 project.
The statement emphasized the government’s commitment to prudent resource management and transparency, noting that the digital border control system would enhance travel, trade, and security while improving the efficiency of Ghana’s entry points.