The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has dismissed claims on social media suggesting that the e-Gates system at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost taxpayers $240 million.
In a press release signed by Maud Anima Quianoo, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration in charge of Special Duties/Public Affairs, stated that, the allegations as false and clarified the actual costs associated with the system.
The statement explained that the e-Gates system is part of a larger integrated border management initiative called “Immigration 360.”
“This project aims to fully automate passenger processing and data management at all 48 approved entry and exit points across Ghana while addressing challenges related to sovereignty, interoperability, and the limitations of existing systems at 12 approved borders”, the statement said.
The total cost of the Immigration 360 project is $94.6 million, with the e-Gates component at KIA costing $5.5 million. Specifically, the 15 e-Gates units and their accessories cost $1.7 million.
The GIS clarified that the $240 million figure being circulated represents the total lifecycle cost of the Immigration 360 project.
This includes upgrades, maintenance, and licensing over a 10-year period.
Additionally, after accounting for VAT and other taxes, the total cost of the project amounts to $274 million, which includes ongoing maintenance and support to ensure round-the-clock functionality.
The Immigration 360 system is designed to integrate seamlessly with both local and international databases.
These include Ghana’s National Identification System, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), INTERPOL’s global watchlists, and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Public Key Directory (PKD), among others.
These integrations are expected to improve travel, trade, and security.
The GIS also highlighted that the system was developed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a private Ghanaian company.
Margins ID Systems Application Ltd is pre-financing the $94.6 million implementation cost, which will be repaid using revenue generated from the system’s operations.
The GIS reassured the public of its commitment to transparency and urged everyone to disregard the misleading claims circulating on social media.
