The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has firmly denied claims that the electronic gates (e-gates) recently installed at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost $240 million. In a statement issued on December 19, 2024, the GIS clarified that the e-gates, consisting of 15 units with accessories, cost only $1.7 million.
The GIS explained that the $240 million figure being circulated refers to the full 10-year lifecycle cost of the Immigration 360 system, an integrated border management solution being implemented at 48 entry points across Ghana. This figure includes upgrades, maintenance, licensing, and taxes, bringing the total to $274 million over a decade.
The Immigration 360 system is designed to automate passenger processing, enhance border security, and integrate with both local and international databases like Ghana’s National ID system and INTERPOL’s watchlists. The GIS also revealed that the first phase of the project, costing $94.6 million, is pre-financed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a local Ghanaian company, with repayments tied to revenue generated from the system’s use.
The statement addressed criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who alleged inflated costs and called for a project review. GIS assured the public that the system is a key step toward modernizing Ghana’s border management and boosting efficiency at entry points.
