Athletes and officials flying to Ghana for this year’s African Games will not be required to fill out landing cards at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra.
The Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia has announced the decision which will see “E-Gates” becoming operational.
It is hoped that the move, which is set to come into force on March 31, will cut the amount of time spent by passengers when they arrive in Accra.
Bawumia took to social media to announce the changes which could be ready just six months before the Ghanaian capital is set to stage the African Games for the first time.
“I held a productive meeting on improving the competitiveness of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) with key stakeholders, including the Minister for Public Enterprises, Minister for Transport and his deputy, the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Ghana Immigration Service, National Security and Ministry of Interior,” Bawumia wrote in a post on Facebook.
“It was decided, inter alia, that airline passengers traveling to Ghana will, from 31 March 2023, no longer be required to fill out landing cards.
“This is because the same information can be obtained electronically.
“Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior and the Ghana Immigration Service have been directed to ensure that E-Gates will be operational at KIA this year for use by passengers using their Passports or Ghanacards.
“In addition, the processes that passengers go through at KIA are also going to be streamlined to drastically reduce the time spent by passengers and avoid duplication.
“The new process flow is expected to be operational by 31st March, 2023.”
A new national airline run by former England footballer Emile Heskey is set to be operating in time for the African Games.
The Ghanian Government has awarded Ashanti Airlines, and its operational and financial partners the Zotus Group the tender to operate Ghana Airlines out of the country’s capital.
Ghana is facing more than 50 per cent inflation, growing debt and a sharp decline in its credit currency since the start of the year.
Financial concerns have dominated the build-up to the African Games which are scheduled to be held from August 4 to 19 in Ghana’s capital Accra.
Ghana was awarded the Games in October 2018 and more than 5,000 athletes from over 50 countries are expected to compete in the event.
