Accra airport is being rebuilt in 2026.Everything a heritage traveller needs to know before they land.

Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra is in the middle of its most significant expansion since Terminal 3 opened in 2018. A new international concourse broke ground in April 2026. Terminal 2 is undergoing upgrade works with a target completion of July 2026. There have been reports of plans for a dedicated diaspora arrivals hall, though no official confirmation has been published. And the Mahama administration has revived plans for a Ghanaian national carrier. Here is what this means practically for the diaspora traveller arriving or departing in 2026.

What is being built and when

What to expect at immigration in 2026

Kotoka's immigration hall has historically been a pinch point for diaspora travellers, particularly during peak arrival windows (Friday and Saturday evenings, and any flight from ATL, JFK, or LHR). e-Gate lanes have been in service at Terminal 3 arrivals since late 2024, but they serve travellers who have pre-registered their biometric details — most visitors still clear through the staffed desks.

Practical advice:

• Have your documents out before you queue. Passport, yellow fever certificate (mandatory), and completed arrival card (distributed on the plane or at the entry to the immigration hall).
• The e-Gates are for biometric passports that have been pre-enrolled with the Ghana Immigration Service's system. Most diaspora travellers will use the standard queue.
• Immigration queue times vary widely. Arriving travellers often describe waits of an hour or more during peak evening windows; allow 90 minutes to be safe.
• Do not hand over your passport to anyone other than a uniformed immigration officer at a designated desk.

Ground transport from Kotoka

The transport situation outside the arrivals hall is unchanged by the 2026 works, which are largely airside. Key facts:

• Uber and Bolt operate from a designated rideshare pickup zone on the ground floor, accessed by turning left after exiting the arrivals hall. Do not accept offers from drivers inside the terminal. Request the car on the app before you exit.
• Official airport taxis operate from a desk in arrivals. Agree the price before you get in. Accra city centre: approximately $15–$25. Prices have risen with the AIDC introduction.
• Hotel shuttles: if your accommodation offers one, use it. Confirm the pickup point before you travel.
• The construction works have temporarily affected the car park on the landside of T3. If being picked up, confirm the current pickup zone with your driver in advance — it has shifted since early 2026.

Departing from Kotoka in 2026

Terminal 3 handles all major international departures. Allow significant extra time:

• 3 hours before departure for all long-haul flights (US, UK, Europe).
• Security queues have lengthened during peak periods due to lane closures associated with the Terminal 2 works.
• The $100 Airport Infrastructure Development Charge is typically collected by your airline as part of your ticket. If it appears as a separate charge at the airport, query it at the check-in desk before paying — it should already be included. See: the airport charge explained in full.

The national airline plan — what it means and does not mean

The Mahama government has announced intentions to revive a Ghanaian national carrier, often referred to in press coverage as a successor to Ghana Airways (which ceased operations in 2004). As of June 2026, this exists as a government announcement. There are no operational aircraft, no confirmed routes, and no confirmed launch timeline. Do not plan travel around a Ghanaian national airline for 2026 or early 2027.