By Mercy Darko
Ghanaians who have the national ID Card popularly called the Ghana Card will no longer have to go through immigration checks upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport. This follows the rollout of the E-Gates at the arrival section of the airport.
Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who over the last few months announced this during his campaign tour said the coming on board of the E-Gates will save passengers the stress they go through as their identity will now be verified with the Ghana Card. He noted that with the global transport landscape witnessing significant improvement, Ghana cannot afford but also join the revolution and embrace these global advancements.
This initiative he added will be replicated at the other airports and border points across the country. E-gates, also known as electronic gates, are automated passport control systems that use biometric technology to authenticate the identity of passengers. These gates are used to scan passports and ID CA Cards to capture the face of passengers which is then compared to the digital image stored in the passport’s microchip.
With the Ghana Card, Ghanaians will just have to present their cards to be verified. Dr Bawumia noted that government’s digitalisation agenda which has birthed the mobile money interoperability, drone delivery of essential medicines, a digital address system and the Ghana card has paved the way for Ghana to leverage opportunities in the fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This major achievement showcases how homegrown solutions can meet and exceed global standards. Everything we have done, in the digital space, you will see that we have focus on homegrown. Ghanaians can do it and we have done it. Today’s milestone, built on a solid foundation of the Ghana Card and rhe Digital Address System, integrated biometric data to improve service delivery across all sectors. Ghanaians have able travel through 44,000 airports across the globe with the Ghana Card as an E-passport because ICAO recognizes it as a document for travelling”.
He said the introduction of the E-Gate initiative at the airport is a game changer for passengers, stressing that it will place Ghana ahead of some advance countries, reduce the long queues at arrival, give passengers real-time customer service while ensuring border controls.
“The Ghana Immigration Service in partnership with Margins Groups developed an intelligent border control system. The culmination of this effort is the E-gates will are launching today, delivering unmatched security, transparency, efficiency and unmatched security at all points of entry, airports, sea port and border points. Our E-Gates leverage cutting-edge technologies such as Artifical Intelligence and real-time data processes to create a frictionless and secured travel experience. Ghana is now prepared for the future of border management. These advancement reflect our readiness for the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolution ensuring adaptabilityto future innovations. These E-gates are a symbol of national pride”.
Dr Bawumia said these will be expanded to almost the major airports including Tamale and Kumasi airports to ensure convenience and setting a standard for travels.
“The new border control system and the E-gate are designed for a wide range of travellers including Ghanaian citizens and foreign visitors. By pre-registering biometric data, travellers can by-pass the traditional queues, significantly reducing waiting times”.
Interior Minister, Henry Quartey in a remark, intimated that the security of the country is paramount and the introduction of the e-gates at the airport will help to proper track passengers. He urged all to embrace technology as it is the way to go.
Director of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, GCAA, Engineer Charles Kraku, explaining the benefits of the E-gates stated that the introduction of the E-Gates will enhance the security oversight for Ghana. He added that the E-gates will reduce waiting time and provide a pleasurable experience.
Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration, Lawyer Kwame Asuah-Takyi said this is a significant milestone is a testament to the collaboration with the GCAA, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Airports Company and Margins Group to enhance operations at the airport. He expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders for making this a reality. He said the installation of the E-Gates will not only improve passenger clearance but enable officers to clear passengers in an effective and efficient manner.
So far 6 E-gates have been installed at arrival at terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport to facilitate the process.
