The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has advised passengers travelling through the Accra International Airport to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure time to allow sufficient time for additional luggage screening and other boarding procedures. The advisory follows the introduction of pre-screening checks at the entrance of the Departure Hall, where passengers will undergo luggage screening before proceeding to the check-in area.
According to GACL, the additional screening will be conducted by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) using scanning machines and sniffer dogs as part of measures to strengthen security at the airport. In a notice, the company said the new procedure requires travellers to allow adequate time for security checks, check-in and other pre-boarding formalities before their flights.
GACL has also reminded the public that access to the Departure Hall is restricted to passengers travelling on scheduled flights. Non-travelling persons are therefore not permitted to enter the area.
The company said the measures form part of its ongoing collaboration with security agencies to enhance security and ensure safe, secure and efficient airport operations.
The latest arrangement follows the deployment of upgraded security screening equipment at passenger checkpoints in Terminals 2 and 3 of the Accra International Airport in July.
The new technology was introduced to improve the efficiency of security checks while maintaining high aviation security standards.
Under the upgraded system, passengers are not required to remove laptops and other large electronic devices from their cabin baggage during screening. They may also keep their shoes and belts on unless further checks are deemed necessary based on security profiling.
The system also includes an Automatic Tray Return System, which is designed to speed up the return of trays to passengers after screening, allowing them to repack their belongings more quickly and helping to reduce waiting times.
