Accra – On 25 July 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (CTTP) and the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC), facilitated a roundtable to work towards the establishment of an Advance Passenger Information (API)  System in Ghana. The NCASC plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of civil aviation within Ghana and is leading national efforts to establish an API system in the country.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance aviation security, it is imperative to explore the implementation of an API System. Enhanced border security is of uttermost priority from a national security perspective, especially in the context of terrorism around the globe,” noted Dr. Dickson Osei-Bonsu, Chairman of the NCASC.

The hybrid meeting with members of the NCASC discussed Ghana’s progress and the next steps towards implementing an API System across four pillars – legal and regulatory frameworks; technical infrastructure; carrier engagement; and operational standards – as well as international best practices.

As a result of the exponential growth in air travel and passenger traffic in recent years, States have been confronted with evolving border management practices to guarantee travel facilitation and border security. API is one of the technical responses to streamline traveller identification management and facilitate border management. IOM’s Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Division provides States with technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen their API implementation processes.

The API System will improve the identification of persons who may pose a risk to safety and security, prior to their entry into Ghana. It thus holds significant potential for enhancing aviation security, improving border control, and supporting law enforcement.

“IOM’s interventions contribute to the Government of Ghana’s efforts in effectively managing cross-border movements and promoting safe, orderly and regular migration. The priority is to get the system working in Ghana to support border management agencies to improve their decision making regarding facilitation and controlling of international travel in Ghana and the detection of transnational organized crime,” said Nnamdi Iwuora, Senior Programme Manager in charge of IBG at IOM Ghana. “IOM, as part of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Travel Programme, has been supporting Ghana on this journey to develop a passenger data exchange system.”

The meeting brought together representatives from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Defense Intelligence and the Ministry of National Security.

CTTP is a global initiative of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) implemented in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the United Nations Office of Information and Communication Technology (UNOICT), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and IOM.

For more information, please contact Nnamdi Iwuora, Senior Programme Manager, Immigration and Border Governance, IOM Ghana, at niwuora@iom.int.