All departing passengers at Accra International Airport must now have their luggage screened by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at the entrance of the Departure Hall before check-in, with travellers advised to arrive at least three hours before their flights. Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) announced the new measure in a public notice on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The pre-screening uses scanning machines and sniffer dogs. It takes place before passengers reach the regular check-in counters and the standard airport security checks.
GACL also said access to the Departure Hall is now restricted to travelling passengers only. Relatives, friends and others seeing travellers off will no longer be allowed into the hall.
The move comes amid heightened national concern over narcotics trafficking through Ghana, which has seen President John Dramani Mahama direct an inter-agency task force to develop a roadmap against drug movement through the country’s borders.
NACOC luggage screening now required at Departure Hall entrance
“All passengers travelling through the airport will be required to undergo luggage screening at the entrance of departures before entering the departure hall,” GACL said in its notice.
The checks are carried out by NACOC officers using scanners and trained detection dogs. GACL said similar pre-screening arrangements are used at several international airports around the world.
Why passengers should arrive 3 hours before departure
Because of the extra layer of checks, GACL is advising travellers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure time.
The company said the additional time “will allow adequate time for security screening, check-in, and other boarding formalities.”
Old vs new departure process at Accra International Airport
- Luggage checks before check-in: Previously handled within normal airport security procedures; now NACOC pre-screens all bags at the Departure Hall entrance.
- Screening tools: Scanning machines and sniffer dogs at the entrance.
- Who can enter the Departure Hall: Now travelling passengers only; non-travelling persons are barred.
- Recommended arrival time: At least 3 hours before departure.
- Effective date: Announced October 2, 2026.
Drug trafficking concerns behind tighter airport security
The new checks follow growing scrutiny of narcotics cases linked to Ghana. A JoyNews Research analysis cited by The Ghanaian Chronicle recorded 28 drug busts between March 2025 and September 2026, including 11 cocaine cases.
On September 17, 2026, President Mahama met security chiefs to review recent trafficking cases at the country’s ports and directed an inter-agency task force to submit a roadmap within two weeks. Ten people, including four officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, were held in connection with the investigations, according to the Ghana News Agency.
The airport itself has been at the centre of earlier seizures, including the 150kg cocaine bust at Accra International Airport reported in August.
What the new airport screening means for travellers
Passengers should plan for longer processing times at the departures entrance, especially during peak evening flight periods when several international departures leave Accra.
Families and friends who usually accompany travellers into the Departure Hall will now have to say their goodbyes outside. Travellers are also advised to pack carefully, as every bag will pass through the NACOC checks before check-in.
GACL thanked passengers and airport users for their cooperation as it works with security agencies “to strengthen security and ensure safe, secure, and efficient airport operations.” Full travel updates are available on the Ghana Airports Company Limited website.
What happens next
GACL has not announced an end date for the pre-screening, suggesting it will remain part of the departure process going forward.
Attention will also turn to the roadmap from the President’s inter-agency task force, which is expected to set out further measures to block drug movement through Ghana’s air, sea and land borders.
Key details at a glance
- Airport: Accra International Airport, Departure Hall
- Agency conducting checks: Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)
- Announced by: Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), October 2, 2026
- Screening method: Scanning machines and sniffer dogs
- Arrival advice: At least 3 hours before departure
- Access: Departure Hall restricted to travelling passengers only
- Context: 28 drug busts recorded between March 2025 and September 2026, per JoyNews Research
FAQs
How early should I arrive at Accra International Airport for an international flight?
GACL advises departing passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure to allow time for NACOC pre-screening, check-in and boarding formalities.
Can family members enter the departure hall at Accra airport?
No. GACL says access to the Departure Hall is now restricted to travelling passengers only, and non-travelling persons will not be allowed in.
Why is NACOC screening luggage at Accra airport?
The pre-screening is an enhanced security measure to strengthen airport security, introduced amid heightened concern over narcotics trafficking through Ghana.
In summary, every departing passenger at Accra International Airport now faces NACOC luggage checks with scanners and sniffer dogs before entering the Departure Hall. Travellers should arrive at least three hours early and expect to part with well-wishers at the entrance as the authorities tighten security against drug trafficking.
