The Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has criticised the implementation of the E-Gate project at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), stating that it was supposed to have been delivered at no cost to the government.

Speaking during his vetting by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Monday, January 20, 2025, Mr. Agbodza revealed that the project, which was to enhance border management and streamline immigration processes, ended up costing the state millions of dollars despite alternative arrangements that would have incurred no expenses.

“It was part of an integrated project being implemented by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, which would have provided the E-Gate system for free. Why are we paying even a dollar for something we should not have paid for at all?” he queried.

Citing a memo from the Ministry of Finance dated March 19, 2024, Mr. Agbodza disclosed that the project’s final proposal valued it at $147.7 million, with a 10-year management and maintenance contract attached. However, he pointed out that there was no value-for-money assessment conducted before implementation.

Background of the E-Gate project

The E-Gate system was introduced at KIA as part of efforts to modernize airport operations and align with international standards. The project aimed to reduce delays in immigration clearance and enhance passenger experience by using biometric technology to automate the entry and exit process for travelers.

The initiative was launched in phases, with some gates operational by late 2023. The government promoted the project as a significant technological upgrade to boost security and efficiency at the country’s premier airport. However, questions about transparency and the cost of implementation quickly surfaced, drawing scrutiny from civil society organizations and members of parliament.

Initial proposals for the project, spearheaded by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), reportedly included provisions for funding through a private-sector partnership that would have incurred no cost to the government. However, the Ghana Immigration Service later assumed responsibility for the project, a move Mr. Agbodza contended was improper and deviated from international protocols.

Immigration service’s role questioned

The Roads and Highways minister-designate further criticised the Ghana Immigration Service for spearheading the project, arguing that its execution fell under the purview of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.

According to him, the Immigration Service’s involvement contravened a United Nations Security Council resolution that mandates such projects to be handled by aviation authorities.

“The few physical E-Gates that have been installed cost $1.75 million, yet there was no proper contract backing it. This lack of clarity created the embarrassment we saw during the commissioning of the project by the former Vice President,” he noted.

A larger systemic problem

Mr. Agbodza linked the mismanagement of the KIA E-Gate project to a broader issue of project implementation inefficiencies within the country. He expressed concern over the manner in which road construction and other public works projects are contracted, often leading to exorbitant costs through compounded interest on unpaid debts.

“The E-Gate project is just one example of how public funds are wasted. If we continue this way, we cannot make sustainable progress,” he warned.