25th December 2024 3:26:23 PM
2 mins readThe Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced the rollout of a new system called "Immigration 360," designed to fully automate how passengers are processed and data is managed at the country's 48 approved entry and exit points. This system will also cover other operational commands.
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The project, which costs $94.6 million, aims to address challenges like sovereignty, interoperability, and other limitations tied to the current setup in use at 12 approved borders.
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As part of the first phase, the GIS is installing advanced border management systems at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra. These include an e-Gate feature, costing $5.5 million, which is expected to simplify and speed up passenger processing. The e-Gate system itself, consisting of 15 units and accessories, is valued at $1.7 million.
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Deputy Commissioner of Immigration for Special Duties/Public Affairs, Maud Anima Quianoo, addressed claims circulating on social media that the e-Gates at KIA cost $240 million. She clarified that this figure refers to the total life-cycle cost of the entire project, while the initial implementation cost is $94.6 million.
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“The $240 million includes two periodic wholesale upgrades of the critical components of the system and the cost of maintenance and licenses over the 10-year cycle of the project. The first upgrade type is in three replacement cycles of key components of the system.
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The second upgrade type is two (2) 5-year upgrade cycles within ten (10) years to replace major components of the technical infrastructure. This is to ensure a refresh of the system at all times and to ensure the hand back of a brand-new system at the end of the ten-year period,” the GIS press statement said.
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It added that after accounting for Value Added Tax (VAT) and other taxes, the total came to $274 million, which includes maintenance and hands-on support services over a 10-year period to guarantee the system is operational around the clock.
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“It is worth noting that Immigration 360 provides the benefits of integrating seamlessly with local databases, which include Ghana’s National Identification System (NIS), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Stop/Watch List, and international systems.
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The new system will work with tools like Interpol, the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD), Advanced Passenger Information (API), Passenger Name Record (PNR), and PISCES. These tools help make travel, trade, and security smoother.
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The GIS also mentioned that the system, developed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a Ghanaian company, can link up with the visas and permits issued by the GIS to improve border control processes nationwide.
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“It is important to note that Margins ID Systems Application Ltd (MIDSA) is pre-financing the implementation cost of $94,664,374.57 and will be repaid from revenue that will accrue from the use of the system.”
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