The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has introduced enhanced security screening for all passengers departing through the airport, with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) now conducting pre-screening checks at the entrance to the Departure Hall.
Under the new arrangement, passengers will have their luggage screened using scanning machines and sniffer dogs before proceeding to check-in.
GACL, in a statement, said the measure formed part of enhanced security procedures and noted that similar pre-screening arrangements were used at several international airports.
The directive comes amid heightened concern over narcotics trafficking through Ghana. A JoyNews Research tally identified 28 drug busts between March 2025 and September 2026, including 11 cocaine cases.
President John Dramani Mahama has since directed an inter-agency task force to examine recent narcotics trafficking cases and develop measures to prevent the movement of drugs through Ghana’s borders.
Ten people, including four Customs Division officers, have also been held in connection with ongoing investigations, according to the Presidency.
GACL has advised all departing passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time to allow sufficient time for security screening, check-in and other boarding formalities.
It has also restricted access to the Departure Hall to travelling passengers, meaning non-travelling persons will no longer be permitted entry.
GACL urged passengers and airport users to cooperate with the security agencies as the enhanced measures are implemented.
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