The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has denied allegations that the E-Gate system recently installed at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost taxpayers USD240 million.

The accusations, which have fuelled claims of corruption, stem from the government’s engagement of a private firm to activate the system.

Speaking on the matter, Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza criticised the arrangement as a clear example of “create, loot, and share.”

In an interview on Wednesday, 18 December, he questioned the alleged USD147 million expenditure on the E-Gate system, highlighting that the entire airport was built at a cost of USD250 million.

In response, the GIS released a statement on Thursday, 19 December, clarifying that the figure being circulated was inaccurate.

The service reassured the public of its commitment to transparency and accountability in implementing its projects.

“The Ghana Immigration Service is implementing a new integrated border management system known as the ‘Immigration 360’.

“The system seeks to fully automate passenger processing and data management at all the forty-eight (48) approved entry/exit points to Ghana and other operational commands,” the statement read.

The GIS outlined the total cost of the project, revealing that the ‘Immigration 360’ system amounts to USD94.6 million.

“As part of Phase One (1) of the project, the GIS is installing border management systems, including an e-Gate component at KIA, which is geared at enhancing smooth passenger clearance and processing. This whole component for the KIA, comprising the immigration control systems and the e-gates, cost USD5.5 million (i.e., USD5,548,860.89).

“The e-Gate system alone (comprising 15 units of e-Gates with accessories), which forms part of the border management system being installed at KIA, costs USD1.7 million (i.e., 1,760,479.80),” the statement further explained.

The GIS also clarified that the widely reported USD240 million refers to the 10-year lifecycle cost of the entire project, which includes periodic upgrades and maintenance.

“The USD240 million includes two (2) periodic wholesale upgrades of the critical components of the system and the cost of maintenance and licences 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 handback of a brand-new system at the end of the ten-year period,” the GIS clarified.

The GIS also reaffirmed its commitment to operational efficiency and data integrity at Ghana’s border points, assuring citizens of its dedication to ensuring value for money in all its undertakings.