KIA E-gates Project Criticized as 'Petty' and 'Mediocre' by Fifi Kwetey

Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed strong disapproval of the government’s newly launched digital border control system and e-gates at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. He has labeled the project as “mediocre” and criticized it for being a “petty” initiative, especially considering the large-scale infrastructure project of Terminal 3, which had been built during the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government.

In an exclusive interview on TV3’s New Day on December 4, 2024, Kwetey questioned the rationale behind the timing of the e-gates’ launch, especially when the government had not given proper acknowledgment to the NDC’s previous achievements at the airport. He noted that the development of Terminal 3 was a significant accomplishment that the current government had seemingly failed to credit to the previous administration. “Is it not really a shame that a government will put up Terminal 3, yet you don’t have the humility to admit that this was done by your predecessor? When the commission was going to be held, you didn’t bother to invite the predecessor, and now we have this petty and mediocre e-gate initiative when a massive infrastructure like Terminal 3 had already been completed,” Kwetey remarked.

Kwetey’s criticisms come after the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, officially launched the digital border control system and e-gates at Kotoka International Airport on December 3, 2024. The new system is designed to expedite the immigration process for passengers by using biometric and facial recognition technology. Ghanaian citizens can now use their Ghana Cards for quick immigration clearance through the e-gates without undergoing manual checks. Additionally, members of the Ghanaian diaspora, as well as foreign visitors, can also utilize the system by pre-registering their biometric data and travel documents before arriving at the airport.

At the launch, Dr. Bawumia touted the e-gates as a significant leap forward for the country’s border management, describing the project as “monumental” for Ghana. He emphasized that the system was “designed and built by Ghanaians” and is fully owned and managed by the Ghana Immigration Service. According to Dr. Bawumia, the introduction of the e-gates represents Ghana’s commitment to improving efficiency and modernizing its infrastructure, particularly in the area of immigration control.

However, Kwetey, who was speaking on behalf of the NDC, has a different perspective on the matter. He believes that while the introduction of the e-gates is a positive development, it pales in comparison to the significance of Terminal 3, a project that he contends was a far more substantial contribution to the country’s infrastructure. Terminal 3, which was inaugurated in 2018, has been a key part of enhancing the country’s aviation capacity, facilitating smoother operations at one of Ghana’s busiest international airports.

Kwetey’s criticism centers on what he perceives as a lack of recognition for the NDC’s contributions to the nation’s infrastructure. He argued that the current government has not shown enough humility in acknowledging the work of the previous administration. He pointed out that the government had no issue commissioning the new e-gates project, but it had failed to extend similar recognition for Terminal 3, which he considers to be a far more important development.

The NDC General Secretary’s comments also touch on a broader issue of political rivalry and credit. In Ghanaian politics, the contest between the two major parties—the NPP and the NDC—has often involved disputes over the recognition of each other’s achievements. Kwetey’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions between the two parties, with the NDC accusing the NPP of disregarding the contributions of past administrations in favor of promoting their own achievements.

Despite Kwetey’s criticism, the government has defended the launch of the e-gates, citing it as part of the broader modernization of Ghana’s infrastructure. Dr. Bawumia’s comments at the launch focused on how the e-gates would improve efficiency and reduce the time passengers spend at the airport, aligning with the government’s broader agenda of enhancing Ghana’s digital infrastructure and services.

While the digital border control system and e-gates represent a step forward in modernizing Ghana’s immigration processes, Kwetey’s remarks underscore the political disputes over credit for past infrastructure projects. With the December 7 elections looming, the issue of who gets credit for the country’s development remains a key point of contention between the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC. Kwetey’s comments reflect the NDC’s desire for greater recognition of its contributions to Ghana’s progress, particularly in the context of the significant infrastructure projects it completed during its time in office.