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Ghana passenger data record

Last checked: 21 October 2026 · Country records

Ghana launched its advance passenger information (API) and passenger name record (PNR) systems on 4 August 2025, housed in the Air Navigation Services building at Kotoka International Airport, as reported by Iddi Yire of the Ghana News Agency 4. The legal basis cited by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is Aviation Security Directives Part 40, gazetted in January 2024 2. The Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) applies, and the Data Protection Commission is the regulator 1.
Data protection law
Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) 1
Data protection authority
Data Protection Commission 1
Agency that receives API/PNR
Not published. The GCAA said in June 2024 that a Passenger Information Unit had been identified but did not name the agency running it 2
API/PNR status
Live. Launched 4 August 2025, as reported by the Ghana News Agency 4
API/PNR legal instrument
Ghana Civil Aviation (Aviation Security) Directives, Part 40 (API/PNR), gazetted January 2024 2
Biometric collection at entry
Not confirmed in an official or named-reporter source 1,2 4
Date checked
21 October 2026 1,2 4

Legal basis

A Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) presentation to an ICAO regional facilitation webinar on 27 June 2024 states that the Ghana Civil Aviation (Aviation Security) Directives, Part 40 (API/PNR) was passed and gazetted in January 2024 2. The same presentation says the system follows UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) and ICAO Annex 9, supplemented by Resolutions 2396 (2017) and 2482 (2019) 2.

The text of Part 40 was not found on a public government website when this page was checked. Its data fields, timeframes and retention period are not published here for that reason.

Status and who receives the data

In June 2024 the GCAA described the system as not live. It said the Passenger Data Single Window and the Passenger Information Unit had been identified and secured, and it was awaiting further guidance from higher State authorities 2. It listed the competent authorities as Immigration, Customs, Intelligence, Narcotics, Police, INTERPOL and National Security 2.

On 4 August 2025 President John Dramani Mahama launched the API and PNR systems at Kotoka International Airport, as reported by Iddi Yire of the Ghana News Agency 4. The President said the systems would let security agencies collect and process passenger data in real time 4. The report says the new building will house a Multi-Agency Command Centre with partners including INTERPOL, the Narcotics Control Commission, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Police Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority 4. The report does not say which agency runs the API/PNR system 4.

Contractor on the public record

The Ghana News Agency report quotes Francis Bullen Gavor, chief executive of Rock Africa, who described the API/PNR Command Centre as national security infrastructure 4. He said the system replaces paper-based manifest processes with real-time structured and secured data access 4. The report does not state Rock Africa's contract terms, who holds the data, where it is hosted, the contract term or how it is funded 4.

No audit office, court or parliamentary finding on the system was found when this page was checked.

UN programme support

Ghana's Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, and UNOCT Director Mauro Miedico signed a Letter of Agreement in Budapest under the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme, as reported by Abigail Arthur of Citi Newsroom on 20 July 2024 3. The agreement covers technical assistance on collecting and analysing API and PNR data 3. A UN programme presentation dated 4 March 2025 lists Ghana among 31 African beneficiary countries 5.

Data protection oversight

The Data Protection Commission describes itself as an independent statutory body under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) 1. Data controllers and processors must register with the Commission 1. The GCAA presentation states that the Commission provides independent oversight of the API/PNR system, including complaints, investigations and resolution of related issues 2.

Chronology

DateEvent
June 2015ICAO USAP-CMA audit starts work under a Corrective Action Plan 2
October to November 2019Engagement with UNOCT, interrupted by COVID-19 2
May 2022Four working groups formed 2
June 2022Basic API/PNR training held in Accra 2
January 2024Aviation Security Directives Part 40 (API/PNR) gazetted 2
27 June 2024GCAA reports the system is not live 2
July 2024Letter of Agreement with UNOCT signed in Budapest 3
4 March 2025Listed as a UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme beneficiary 5
4 August 2025API and PNR systems launched at Kotoka International Airport 4

Common questions

Does Ghana collect PNR data?

Yes. API and PNR systems were launched on 4 August 2025, as reported by the Ghana News Agency 4.

What law governs Ghana's API/PNR system?

The GCAA cites the Ghana Civil Aviation (Aviation Security) Directives, Part 40, gazetted in January 2024 2.

Who regulates personal data in Ghana?

The Data Protection Commission, under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) 1.

Which company is involved in Ghana's API/PNR system?

The Ghana News Agency quoted the chief executive of Rock Africa at the launch. Contract terms were not stated 4.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

  1. Data Protection Commission Ghana: home page (checked 21 October 2026)
  2. Ghana Civil Aviation Authority: Status of API/PNR developments in Ghana, ICAO WACAF FAL webinar (28 June 2024)
  3. Citi Newsroom, Abigail Arthur: Ghana signs agreement with UNOCT to prevent terrorism (20 July 2024)
  4. Ghana News Agency, Iddi Yire: Mahama commissions new Air Navigation Services Building at KIA (4 August 2025)
  5. UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme: United Nations support to Member States on API and PNR systems implementation, ICAO FAL forum, Yaounde (4 March 2025)

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