The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns over alleged corruption surrounding the government’s decision to engage a private entity to operate the newly commissioned E-gate system at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The E-gate system, part of a $147 million project aimed at streamlining passenger processing, has come under scrutiny for what the Minority describes as secrecy and irregularities in its procurement and execution.
Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza criticized the deal, labeling it a “create, loot, and share” scheme.
He demanded greater transparency and accountability, highlighting what he called glaring financial impropriety.
Mr Agbodza questioned the justification for spending $147 million on the E-gate system when the construction of the entire airport reportedly cost $250 million.
“Why on earth would you spend $147 million on an E-gate service for an airport that cost $250 million to build? This raises serious concerns about value for money and the government’s priorities,” he said.
The Minority also expressed suspicion over the selection process for the private entity and called for a detailed review of the procurement process.
Mr Agbodza accused the government of bypassing proper procedures, noting that critical reviews such as value-for-money assessments had not been conducted.
He further warned civil servants and institutions, including the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ministry of Finance, against rushing to finalize the agreement, calling such actions “illegal.”
“This time around, it’s not going to happen. Bank of Ghana, Ministry of Finance, and Ghana Immigration Service must adhere to the laws of the land. This is an integrated service that is supposed to be provided at the airport, not a free-for-all cash grab,” Mr Agbodza added.
The Minority urged the government to disclose the terms of the E-gate agreement, including the private entity’s identity and a detailed cost breakdown.
They also called for an investigation to avert what they described as a potential financial scandal that could tarnish Ghana’s image and damage the aviation sector.
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