Ghana Deploys West Africa’s Most Advanced Airport Scanners | By Dominick Andoh
Passengers travelling through Ghana’s main international gateway will soon experience significantly faster and more convenient security screening as the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) begins deploying advanced three-dimensional (3D) security screening technology at the Accra International Airport.
The new state-of-the-art screening equipment has been installed at passenger checkpoints in Terminals 2 and 3 and will initially operate alongside existing security procedures before the current screening protocol is fully phased out.
The gradual deployment marks one of the most significant upgrades to passenger security processing at Accra International Airport in recent years and aligns Ghana with a growing number of leading international airports adopting Computed Tomography (CT) screening technology.
According to a public notice issued by GACL, the new system is designed to strengthen aviation security while dramatically improving passenger convenience.
Once fully operational, passengers will no longer be required to remove laptops and other large electronic devices from their cabin baggage during security screening.
Travellers will also be allowed to keep their shoes and belts on unless specifically requested during secondary security profiling.
Another major improvement is that liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) of up to 100 millilitres can remain inside cabin baggage during screening, eliminating one of the most time-consuming aspects of airport security checks. The existing international restriction on containers exceeding 100ml, however, remains unchanged.
GACL has also introduced an Automatic Tray Return System, enabling screening trays to circulate automatically and reducing congestion at security checkpoints.
Transition Being Done in Phases
Although the equipment has now been deployed, AviationGhana understands the new scanners are not yet operating at full capacity.
The company is implementing the technology progressively while maintaining existing security protocols to ensure operational continuity and allow staff to complete final familiarisation and system integration.
This phased approach is consistent with international best practice whenever new aviation security technologies are introduced.
Keeping Pace with Global Aviation Standards
The deployment follows earlier reports by AviationGhana that GACL had acquired the advanced 3D scanners and was undertaking extensive staff training ahead of their introduction.
The technology generates highly detailed three-dimensional images of cabin baggage, enabling security personnel to inspect contents from multiple angles without requiring passengers to unpack electronic devices or remove permitted liquids.
Beyond improving passenger convenience, the enhanced imaging capability strengthens threat detection while reducing screening times, the two priorities increasingly shaping airport investments worldwide.
As passenger numbers continue to grow, the adoption of advanced screening technology is expected to improve processing capacity, shorten queues and reinforce Kotoka International Airport’s position as one of West Africa’s leading aviation hubs.
The GACL, in the public notice, appealed to passengers and airport stakeholders to cooperate with security personnel during the transition period as operations gradually migrate to the new screening system over the coming weeks.
Ghana Deploys West Africa’s Most Advanced Airport Scanners | AviationGhana
