All our KIA scanners are fully functional – Ghana Link

…dismisses security breakdown claims

Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. has dismissed recent media reports alleging widespread scanner failures at Kotoka International Airport’s (KIA) Cargo Village, describing them as “false, misleading and damaging”.

In a strongly-worded statement, the operators of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) stated that all five scanners currently deployed at the airport are “fully functional and operational”, countering suggestions that border security had collapsed to the point of relying solely on sniffer dogs for the detection of contraband.

“There are currently up to five fully functional and operational scanners deployed at Kotoka International Airport Cargo Village,” the company said.

These include four export scanners, all manufactured by Smiths Heimann of France, located across key cargo handling points such as Swissport, AGCPC (Air Ghana Cargo Processing Centre) and Aviance. In addition, an import scanner – a Rapiscan Eagle A25 manufactured in the United States and described as one of only three in Africa -is also in full operation.

The response comes amid heightened public attention and media coverage alleging gaps in airport cargo security. Ghana Link maintains that standard operating procedures remain intact, with all in-bound cargo moved from the tarmac directly to scanning machines for mandatory checks prior to Customs clearance.

Export cargo similarly undergoes documented examination and is scanned before being transferred to secure storage en route to final shipment.

Sniffer dogs

Contrary to suggestions that the country is resorting to sniffer dogs due to equipment failure, the company clarified that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) occasionally deploys canine units based on specific intelligence.

“In the recent case being discussed, it is our understanding that NACOC had credible intel and, therefore, deployed dogs to where suspicious items were flagged even before the goods could be brought for scanning,” the company explained.

Ghana Link raised concerns about the potential impact of the inaccurate reports, warning that they risk undermining confidence in the country’s port and border infrastructure.

“The assertion that ‘all scanners are broken down’ is not only incorrect but also risks attracting unwarranted scrutiny from international aviation, trade and security stakeholders,” the statement noted.

The company further argued that if the scanners were in fact non-functional, there would be tangible disruptions across the logistics chain—ranging from shipment delays and increased demurrage costs to a surge in complaints from freight forwarders, shipping lines and Customs agents. No such disruptions have been reported.

“We ask that immediate steps be taken to amend the wrong information to reflect the true state of affairs,” the company said.

“These systems are not only operational but closely monitored and maintained to ensure compliance with international safety and trade facilitation standards,” it added.

“Our commitment must be reciprocated with truth, accountability and collaboration, not public misrepresentation,” it further stated.

Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. operates Ghana’s ICUMS platform, a key component in Customs revenue collection and trade facilitation across all entry and exit points in the country.

The system is jointly monitored with the Ghana Revenue Authority and other security agencies.

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