Accra, GHANA— On Tuesday, March 23, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan officially presented new aviation security screening equipment for use at Kotoka International Airport to the Honorable Minister of Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ambassador Martha Pobee. Also present for the occasion were the Director-General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority Charles Kraikue, and Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited Yaw Kwakwa.
In her remarks, Ambassador Sullivan highlighted that the growth of the aviation sector in Ghana has increased the importance of aviation security, screening, and information sharing noting, “The airport security training and equipment program underscores the robust security cooperation between the United States and Ghana.”
The U.S. and Ghanaian officials commissioned one body scanner and nine explosives and narcotics trace detectors at the passenger checkpoint for outbound flights inside Kotoka International Airport Terminal 3. In addition to the state-of-the-art screening technology, the U.S. government has committed to deliver best practices in airport security management and related operator training for the donated equipment.
This equipment grant was implemented by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security Office of Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration. The ATA program provides support for an Aviation Security Enhancement Program (ASEP) in Ghana in close coordination with the Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) and U.S. Embassy Accra.
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About the Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) Program
Established in 1983, the U.S. Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program is the U.S. Government’s premier counterterrorism training and equipment provider for foreign law enforcement agencies. The program receives funding and policy guidance from the Bureau of Counterterrorism and is administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Training Directorate.
ATA builds the critical counterterrorism capabilities of law enforcement partners abroad with both knowledge-enhancing training courses and tactical skills development to detect, deter, and disrupt terrorist activities.
