Passengers departing through the Accra International Airport will now undergo additional luggage screening before entering the Departure Hall, as the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) intensifies efforts to prevent drug trafficking through the airport.
The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), in a public notice issued on October 2, said NACOC officers will conduct the checks using scanning machines and sniffer dogs.
“All passengers travelling through the airport will be required to undergo luggage screening at the entrance of departures before entering the departure hall,” GACL said.
The new arrangement follows heightened scrutiny of narcotics trafficking through Ghana, including recent investigations into drug shipments linked to the country and concerns over security gaps at the Accra airport. President John Mahama held a high-level meeting with security agencies in September to review vulnerabilities in passenger and cargo screening and strengthen measures against narcotics trafficking.
NACOC has also intensified operations at the airport, including using K9 units and scanning equipment. Earlier this year, the Commission reported seizures of controlled drugs during intelligence-led searches at the facility.
GACL has advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure to allow time for additional screening, check-in, and other boarding procedures.
“Access to the Departure Hall is restricted to travelling passengers only. Non-travelling persons will not be permitted entry,” the company said.
