Ghana’s airports intercepted more than 2,000 guns and rounds of ammunition from passengers in 2023, according to findings contained in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report, raising concerns about aviation security procedures.
The issue came under scrutiny on Tuesday when officials from the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to answer questions arising from the audit.
The Vice Chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, cited the report, which warned of an “increasing number of weapons and ammunition carried by passengers” at the country’s airports.
Reading from the audit, Mr Atta-Mills drew attention to a passage stating that although all intercepted cases were referred to the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), passengers were nonetheless allowed to continue their journeys due to the absence of a clear policy governing travellers found with weapons.
“Does it mean they were allowed to board the aircraft with their weapons?” Mr Atta-Mills asked, describing the situation as “very serious”.
In response, GACL officials explained that under previous arrangements, weapons discovered during screening were separated from passengers and kept in secure areas of the airport until the flight departed.
They told the committee that new directives have since been issued to standardise the handling of such cases.
According to the officials, current procedures require any passenger carrying a weapon to declare it to the Aviation Security Department. If the weapon is properly licensed, the passenger may be allowed to travel. Unlicensed weapons are confiscated and handed over to the NIB.
They added that even licensed weapons will be seized if a passenger fails to declare them on arrival at the airport.
The Auditor-General’s report suggests that the lack of a formalised policy may previously have created security vulnerabilities.
Mr Atta-Mills later said his questions were intended to clarify existing procedures and draw attention to the need for strict enforcement of aviation security regulations.