Ghana Launches Advanced Passenger Data System at KIA, Sets Stage for Nationwide E-Visa Rollout

Ghana has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) system at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), in a move aimed at tightening aviation security, improving travel efficiency, and modernising the country’s border management infrastructure.

The API and PNR platforms will allow security agencies to receive, process, and analyse key passenger data before travellers arrive in or depart from Ghana. Officials say the system will enable the early detection of potential security threats while also helping immigration and customs officers fast-track clearance processes to reduce delays for passengers.

The commissioning ceremony also saw the inauguration of a new Air Navigation Services building, another milestone in Ghana’s aviation modernisation agenda.

Speaking at the event, President John Dramani Mahama described the API/PNR system as a strategic investment in Ghana’s security and economic future. He noted that the project aligns with his administration’s digital governance and e-government agenda, aimed at making public services faster, safer, and more efficient.

The President also directed the Ministers for Transport, Interior, and Foreign Affairs to collaborate on expanding the API and PNR systems nationwide, a move he said would lay the groundwork for the swift implementation of Ghana’s long-awaited e-visa programme.

“The e-visa initiative is not just about convenience. It is about positioning Ghana as a gateway to West Africa, encouraging innovation in border security, and supporting the growth of our tourism and business sectors,” he said.

The upcoming e-visa system will allow visitors to apply for entry permits online before travelling, eliminating the need for lengthy in-person processing. Government officials say the initiative will cut processing times, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and improve Ghana’s global image as a travel-friendly nation.

Stakeholders in the tourism and business sectors have praised the move, saying it will give Ghana a competitive advantage as neighbouring countries race to revive tourism and attract foreign investment.

The API/PNR facility is also expected to improve intelligence-sharing between agencies, enhance monitoring of cross-border movements, and strengthen the fight against transnational crime. Authorities believe it will serve as a critical tool in combating illegal migration, human trafficking, smuggling, and terrorism financing.

Security analysts say the investment marks a significant shift towards intelligence-led border control and puts Ghana in a stronger position to meet international aviation security standards.

With the global tourism industry recovering from the impacts of COVID-19, Ghana’s adoption of advanced passenger data systems is seen as a timely step that will help the country reclaim and grow its share of the international travel market.

By combining technology-driven security measures with traveller-friendly innovations such as e-visas, Ghana is seeking to solidify its position as a premier business, tourism, and transit hub in West Africa.

The launch of the API/PNR centre at KIA is not just an operational upgrade — it represents a forward-looking national strategy that blends security, efficiency, and economic opportunity.

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