The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has formally clarified its protocols regarding the transportation of firearms, stating that travellers possessing valid licenses are permitted to board flights only after strictly adhering to mandatory declaration procedures with the aviation security unit.
This clarification follows the release of the 2024 Auditor-General’s report, which highlighted a significant security concern involving the confiscation of over 2,000 unlicensed weapons and various rounds of ammunition at the nation’s airports.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, the Managing Director of GACL, Yvonne Opare, emphasized that a robust weapon declaration policy is in place to safeguard passenger transit.
The issue was raised by the Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta Mills, who expressed alarm over the volume of seized contraband and sought a detailed explanation of current security measures.
In response, Opare explained that the procedure requires passengers to surrender their licensed firearms to security personnel for verification and secure storage within the aircraft’s hold, as carrying weapons within the passenger cabin remains strictly prohibited under international safety standards.
Beyond matters of security, the Managing Director also addressed the economic challenges facing the local aviation sector. She attributed the current duopoly of domestic carriers in Ghana to the prohibitive operational costs associated with domestic flight services.
According to Yvonne Opare, these high costs serve as a significant barrier to entry for potential competitors, which ultimately influences the pricing and limited options available to domestic travellers.
Story by: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
