The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) says there will be no special treatment or favouritism in profiling (screening) prospective passengers who go through pre-departure formalities at the Kotoka International Airport.
This, the Board said was to check carrying of illicit drugs or offensive explosives. NACOB said though its operatives had been profiling passengers before the body scanning became operational on January 15, the advent of the machine was to fast track screening of prospective travelers.
Briefing the press yesterday in Accra, the Deputy Executive Secretary of NACOB, Mark Ewuntomah, cited the behaviour of a Ghanaian based in the US, Akosua Phillips, who was alleged to have fiercely resisted submitting herself for screening on Tuesday morning. She was bound for a Delta airline flight, which had to leave her behind.
She finally allowed herself to be searched but nothing incriminating was found on her. Mr Ewuntomah explained that the personnel were there to perform their duty and to safeguard the country�s image and reputation in eyes of the international community especially with regards to drug trafficking. Mr Ewuntomah said that the machine was not meant to expose the private parts of passengers as was being speculated, adding that �the machine does not expose the vital statistics or genitals of passengers.�
He said the fact that the President and his Vice have been submitting themselves for screening should be an example for all.� He cited the arrest and subsequent conviction of a 21-year-old stewardess of Ethiopian Airlines, in the UK for concealing 10.5 kg of cocaine in her suitcase, saying officials at Heathrow Airport discovered the drugs on her arrival from Addis Ababa.
A letter from the UK authorities to NACOB on the arrest of the stewardess said it underscored the fact that air crew continued to be active agents in drug trafficking, hence the need for Ghanaian airport officials to remain vigilant as the country stepped up effort to eradicate the drug menace.
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