The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has refuted claims that the recently deployed E-Gate system at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost taxpayers $240 million.
The allegations, which have sparked accusations of corruption, center on the government’s decision to involve a private company in the system’s implementation.
The Minority in Parliament has been particularly critical, with Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza describing the arrangement as a blatant example of “create, loot, and share” during an interview on Wednesday, December 18. Agbodza questioned the alleged $147 million expenditure on the E-Gate system, noting that the entire airport was constructed for $250 million.
In a statement released, the GIS clarified that the $240 million cited in social media reports represents the total lifecycle cost of the project, which includes an initial implementation expense of $94,664,374.57.
“The total cost of the new ‘Immigration 360’ border management system is $94.6 million (i.e., $94,664,374.57). 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)”, they stated.
The GIS also highlighted that the system, developed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a local Ghanaian company, is designed to integrate visas and permits issued by the GIS with border control processes nationwide.
Read the full statement below:
