E-Gates Cost $1.7M, Not $240M: GIS Clears the Air on Misleading Reports

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has dismissed viral social media claims alleging that the newly commissioned electronic gates (E-gates) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost $240 million.

In a press release dated Thursday, December 19, 2024, the GIS clarified that the E-gates, part of Ghana’s upgraded border management system, cost $1.7 million and not the exaggerated $240 million figure being circulated online.

The GIS used the opportunity to shed light on its comprehensive “Immigration 360” project. This initiative is designed to automate passenger processing and data management across the nation’s 48 approved entry and exit points.

“The Immigration 360 system aims to address challenges related to sovereignty, interoperability, and inefficiencies in the current system, ensuring a seamless and modernized approach to border management,” the statement read.

Regarding the $240 million cost, the GIS clarified that this amount covers the implementation of phases one and two of the Immigration 360 system. It includes the installation, maintenance, licensing, and taxes associated with border management enhancements at all 48 entry points.

“The $240 million referenced in the circulating article on social media is in relation to the whole cycle cost of the project (including the initial implementation cost of $94,664,374.57),” the statement said.

“The $240 million includes two (2) periodic wholesale upgrades of the critical components of the system and cost of maintenance and licenses over the 10-year cycle of the project.”

“The first upgrade type is in three (3) replacement cycles of key components of the system. The second upgrade type is two (2) 5-year upgrade cycles within ten (10) years to replace major components of the technical infrastructure. This is to ensure a refresh of the system at all times and to ensure the hand back of a brand-new system at the end of the ten-year period.”

“After accounting for VAT and other taxes, the total comes to $274 million, which includes maintenance and hands-on support services over a ten-year period to guarantee the system is operational around-the-clock.”

This statement emphasizes the government’s commitment to improving border security and transparency while countering misinformation about public expenditure.

Stay tuned for more updates on Ghana’s border management improvements.