Politics

The Ghana Airports Company Limited has deployed state-of-the-art security screening equipment at passenger screening checkpoints in Terminals 2 and 3 of Accra International Airport, ending the long-standing requirement for travellers to remove their shoes, belts, laptops, phones and coins during security checks. The new 3D scanning technology went live today July 12, 2026, fulfilling a promise President John Dramani Mahama made at the launch of Ghana's e-Visa platform in May. Under the new arrangement passengers are no longer required to remove laptops and electronic devices from their cabin bags before screening, nor are they required to remove footwear and belts unless specifically required during security profiling. The Ghana Airports Company said the new screening system has been designed to enhance aviation security while significantly improving the passenger experience. The upgrade is part of Ghana's broader modernisation agenda integrating aviation security with the country's Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record frameworks — enabling intelligence-led screening linked to international watchlists in real time. Passenger numbers at Accra International Airport have grown from 1.8 million in 2022 to 2.5 million in 2025 — a 39 percent increase — making the upgrade critical to reducing peak-hour congestion between 6pm and 10pm. President Mahama described the old shoe removal requirement as an indignity that had persisted far too long.

L46rgra3 · NSEM