Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, operators of the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS), has firmly rejected recent media claims that scanners at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Cargo Village are non-functional, resulting in the exclusive reliance on sniffer dogs for detecting narcotics and contraband.
The company described the reports as “entirely false, misleading, and damaging.”
In a strongly worded statement issued by Norvan Acquah-Hayford, Head of Public Relations at Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, the company expressed deep concern over the claims, which have been circulating in both local and international media.
All scanners are fully functional
According to the statement, there are currently five fully operational scanners at the KIA Cargo Village—four dedicated to exports and one for imports.
The export scanners, all manufactured by Smiths Heimann of France, are deployed across the facilities operated by Swissport, Air Ghana Cargo Processing Centre (AGCPC), and Aviance.
These machines, the statement noted, “are operating at optimal efficiency.”
The import scanner, a Rapiscan Eagle A25—manufactured in the United States by Rapiscan and AS&E—remains one of only three such high-performance scanners in Africa.
It is stationed at the import section of KIA’s cargo operations and is actively used in screening inbound cargo for narcotics, arms, ammunition, and other illegal goods.
“All our scanners at Kotoka International Airport Cargo Village are fully functional and operational,” the statement stressed.
Scanning is mandatory, dogs are supplemental
Ghana Link clarified that the standard cargo processing procedure at KIA involves mandatory scanning of all goods—both inbound and outbound—before release to Customs or airline handlers. Exported goods, for instance, are scanned after undergoing customs documentation and examination, then moved to secure biometric warehouses before boarding.
Occasionally, sniffer dogs from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) are deployed, but only as an additional layer of security and always based on intelligence-led operations.
“In the recent case being discussed, it is our understanding that NACOC had credible intel and therefore deployed dogs to where suspicious items were flagged even before the goods could be brought for scanning,” the statement clarified.
Falsehood poses national and international risks
The company expressed grave concern about the repercussions of spreading misinformation, warning that it could erode public trust in Ghana’s border security systems and attract unwarranted scrutiny from international aviation, trade, and security stakeholders.
Ghana Link also cautioned that such claims unfairly tarnish the image of companies that have invested heavily in safeguarding these national security assets.
“The assertion that ‘all scanners are broken down’ is not only incorrect but also risks undermining public trust in our port and border security systems,” said Mr. Acquah-Hayford.
Furthermore, Ghana Link stressed that if scanners at KIA were truly out of service, there would have been significant operational disruptions, including shipping delays, demurrage costs, and complaints from freight forwarders, customs agents, and airlines. No such disturbances have occurred, reinforcing the company’s position that the scanning infrastructure remains fully operational.
Call for media retractions and clarifications
Ghana Link has called on media outlets that published the erroneous reports to issue immediate corrections and retract misleading headlines.
The company emphasized the need for accurate reporting, particularly on matters affecting national security and trade.
“We strongly urge that the misinformation communicated is corrected, and that immediate steps be taken to reflect the true state of affairs,” the statement urged.
It added that scanning infrastructure at KIA and other border points forms Ghana’s first line of defence against the trafficking of prohibited goods and must be reported on with care, accuracy, and a sense of national responsibility.
Commitment to national security remains unshaken
Despite the misleading reports, Ghana Link reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to partnering with the State and its security agencies to strengthen border integrity and ensure compliance with international trade and safety standards.
“But this commitment,” the statement concluded, “must be reciprocated with truth, accountability, and collaboration—not public misrepresentation.”
The company pledged to remain transparent in its operations and responsive to legitimate concerns while protecting the integrity of systems designed to keep Ghana secure.
