The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has vehemently denied allegations that the recently installed E-Gate system at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost taxpayers $240 million. This refutation comes in response to accusations of corruption surrounding the government's decision to contract a private company for the system's activation.
Minority's Accusations and the GIS Response
The Minority in Parliament has been highly critical, with Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza calling the arrangement a "create, loot, and share" scheme. Agbodza questioned the alleged $147 million expenditure on the E-Gate system, noting that the entire airport's construction cost was $250 million. In a statement released on December 19, 2024, the GIS stated that the $240 million figure is inaccurate and urged the public to disregard it. The service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Details of the "Immigration 360" Project
The GIS clarified that the $240 million figure represents the total lifecycle cost of the "Immigration 360" project, a broader integrated border management system. This system aims to fully automate passenger processing and data management at all 48 approved entry/exit points in Ghana. The project addresses sovereignty, interoperability, and other inadequacies of existing systems.
Actual Costs and Project Breakdown
The total cost of the "Immigration 360" system is $94.6 million. The KIA E-Gate component, including immigration control systems and e-gates, cost $5.5 million. The e-gates themselves (15 units with accessories) cost $1.7 million. The $240 million figure includes two periodic wholesale upgrades, maintenance, and licenses over a 10-year period, totaling $274 million after taxes.
System Integration and Financing
The "Immigration 360" system integrates with Ghana's National Identification System (NIS), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and international systems like INTERPOL's Global Stop/Watch List.
The system, developed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd., a local Ghanaian company, is pre-financed by the company and will be repaid from revenue generated by the system's use. The GIS maintains its commitment to transparency and efficient resource management.
0 Comments