Ghana’s premier international gateway, Kotoka International Airport (KIA), intercepted more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and 20 firearms in 2023, exposing troubling security lapses and a glaring absence of national regulations on the transport of weapons through its terminals.
The figures disclosed in the latest Auditor-General’s report on public accounts, have sparked alarm among aviation experts and security analysts, who warn that the country’s airports remain dangerously exposed to potential threats.
Among the discoveries were 198 rounds of ammunition and four firearms uncovered at the international passenger screening checkpoint, with an additional 1,879 rounds and 16 weapons found in Terminal 2. Despite the scale of these interceptions, passengers involved were permitted to board their flights, an outcome security experts call deeply concerning.
The Auditor-General attributed this to the lack of a national policy governing how passengers declare, transport, or are penalised for carrying weapons at airports. The report described the situation as a “potential security risk” and warned that the current loophole could allow unauthorised arms to slip through undetected, endangering the lives of passengers and crew.
The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which manages KIA, acknowledged the growing issue and said it had raised the alarm as far back as 2022. Meetings with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) pointed to one clear root cause: the absence of enforceable laws and penalties.
Though GACL escalated the matter to the Minister for National Security in 2023, and internally introduced enhanced screening training for Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, no national policy has yet been adopted. These interim steps have improved detection, but officials stress that training alone cannot solve a systemic policy vacuum.
The Auditor-General has now formally recommended that the GACL develop and implement comprehensive security policies for screening, declaring, and transporting weapons. These should include clear procedures, regulatory oversight, and punitive measures for non-compliance.
With Ghana recording a 40% rise in weapons seizures at airports over the last two years, aviation and national security stakeholders are calling for urgent action.
Kotoka International Airport is not only Ghana’s primary aviation hub but also a crucial gateway for diplomatic, commercial, and international travellers. Experts say its safety must not be left to internal fixes and good fortune.
