Nick Danso Adjei, Ghana Link Boss
Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, operators of the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS), has refuted media reports suggesting that scanners at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Cargo Village have broken down.
A statement issued and signed by the Head of Public Relations at Ghana Link, Norvan Acquah Hayford, said all five scanners deployed by Ghana Link to the Kotoka International Airport are fully functional and operational, adding that it is currently not relying on sniffer dogs to intercept narcotics and contraband.
It said, “We categorically refute this claim as entirely false, misleading, and damaging to the integrity of Ghana’s border security systems and the companies entrusted with safeguarding these critical national assets.”
“There are currently up to five (5) fully functional and operational scanners deployed at Kotoka International Airport Cargo Village belonging to Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. They are Smiths Heimann 180180 2is PRO – Swissport, Smiths Heimann 180180 2is – AGCPC (Air Ghana Cargo Processing Centre), Smiths Heimann 180180 2is PRO – Aviance and Smiths Heimann 180180 2is – Aviance,” the company disclosed.
Ghana Link stated that the standard procedure for cargo handling is that all goods arriving by air cargo are moved from the tarmac directly to the scanning machines, where they undergo mandatory scanning before being released to customs.
It further mentioned that all goods to be exported out of the country arriving at the Cargo Village undergo mandatory customs examination and documentation before they undergo scanning, after which goods are released to the high security biometric warehouse, and later transferred to be emplaned.
The company also mentioned that occasionally, and at the discretion of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), sniffer dogs are deployed as an additional layer of scrutiny, sometimes even before goods are scanned, based on specific intelligence leads.
“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,” it explained.
It said the company is deeply alarmed by the inaccurate and unverified information, and the assertion that all scanners are broken down is incorrect.
That, it noted, does not only undermine public trust at the port and border security systems but also attract unwarranted scrutiny from international aviation, trade, and security stakeholders while damaging the reputation of companies that undertake the scans and have consistently invested in, supported, and enhanced the integrity of these systems at the airport.
“We also remind the public and relevant institutions that the scanning infrastructure at the KIA Cargo Village and all other entry/exit points forms the first line of defence against contraband, including narcotics, arms, and prohibited goods. These systems are not only operational but closely monitored and maintained to ensure compliance with international safety and trade facilitation standards,” parts of the statement read.
“Furthermore, were these scanners to be dysfunctional as claimed, the repercussions in terms of delays, demurrage costs, and compromised perishable cargo would have triggered widespread alarm from freight forwarders, customs agents, and shipping lines alike,” it added.
Ghana Link, therefore, urged that the misinformation is corrected, immediate steps be taken to amend the wrong information to reflect the true state of affairs, and asked media outlets that published the said story to retract and clarify misleading headlines and articles now circulating both locally and internationally.
“Ghana Link Network Services Ltd remains committed to partnering with the state and its security institutions to enhance Ghana’s border integrity. But this commitment must be reciprocated with truth, accountability, and collaboration, not public misrepresentation,” it added.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah