E-Gates Cost $1.7m not $240m – Ghana Immigration Service responds to false claims
Ghana Immigration Service Debunks $240M E-Gates Cost Claims
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that the recently installed electronic gates (e-Gates) at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost $240 million.
In a press release dated Thursday, December 19, 2024, the GIS clarified that the cost of the e-Gate system at KIA is $1.7 million, not $240 million.
The GIS further explained that the e-Gates are part of a broader initiative, the “Immigration 360” integrated border management system, aimed at automating passenger processing and data management across Ghana’s 48 entry and exit points.
The $240 million figure, the GIS noted, represents the total 10-year cost of the Immigration 360 system, including installation, periodic upgrades, maintenance, licensing, and taxes.
Key details include:
- E-Gate cost at KIA: $1.7 million (15 units with accessories).
- Phase one and two costs: $94.6 million for initial implementation.
- Long-term investment: $240 million includes upgrades, maintenance, and two five-year system refresh cycles, ensuring state-of-the-art infrastructure at the end of the 10-year period.
- Total cost with VAT and taxes: $274 million for a fully functional, continuously updated system.
The GIS emphasized its commitment to ensuring secure, modernized border management systems and urged the public to disregard misleading reports.
