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Claim: Social media users have claimed that the e-gates unveiled by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on December 3, 2024, at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra did not function properly during his demonstration.
Verification: False; DUBAWA’s checks confirm that despite viral claims suggesting it did not function, the e-gates at Kotoka International Airport were functional during the launch. Verified footage from Dr Bawumia’s Facebook account and Channel One TV shows Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia successfully using the system.
Full Text
Some users on X have alleged that the e-gates launched by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Accra, failed to function during his demonstration. A viral video purportedly shows Dr Bawumia standing for an extended period, seemingly waiting for the gates to open, but they reportedly did not. The e-gates are designed to streamline e-visa processing and enhance digital travel experiences.
Users such as @1Bongoideas and @Yayrakoku, among others, amplified these claims. With the video attached, @1Bongoideas wrote, “If the e-gate you reportedly built could reject your identity and refuse to open to you, it’s a sign Ghanaians too will reject and refuse to make you president.”
Similarly, @Yayrakoku commented, “The e-gate failed to open for Bawumia. Just like when they printed a fake Ghana Card for Akufo-Addo during its launch. Comedians. How is this an achievement? Should I vote because of e-gate?”
Other Facebook users, including Ephie Oh, have also published the claim.
These posts have sparked widespread ridicule, with many questioning the effectiveness of the e-gates. DUBAWA initiated a check to verify the system’s functionality and whether Dr Bawumia successfully used it during the launch.
How the E-Gates Operate
The e-gates authenticate a traveller’s e-passport, passport, or digital travel document by cross-referencing national and international databases. The gates automatically open once the biometric recognition system matches the traveller’s identity.
Verification
DUBAWA’s investigation involved a review of media coverage to verify whether Dr Bawumia successfully used the e-gates. Reports from Channel One TV and JoyNews confirmed the event.
On Channel One TV, Dr Bawumia’s entry was visible at the 00:55 mark, while a video on Dr Bawumia’s official Facebook page showed the entry process starting at 1:09. This confirms that the e-gates were operational during the launch.
The test run by the authorities, as published on Facebook by user Enoch Kofi Nyarkoh also showed how the technology works.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s checks confirm that despite viral claims suggesting otherwise, the e-gates at Kotoka International Airport were functional during the launch. Verified footage from multiple credible sources shows Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia successfully using the system. While public scepticism and scrutiny are important for accountability, this case highlights the need for careful verification of viral claims to avoid the spread of misinformation, especially as the elections draw near.
