By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is ending its long-held policy of making travelers take off their shoes at airport security checkpoints. This surprising change, nearly two decades after being put into effect, is poised to ease travel for millions. For Ghanaian and other African travelers en route to the US, this is more than a mere procedural change: it’s a sign of evolving security and a moment to reflect on our own travel realities.
The new policy is nationwide and takes effect immediately, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday.
“With this no-shoes policy, we anticipate that Americans and travelers and those coming into our country will be very excited they will no longer have to remove their shoes,” she said. “We want to improve this travel experience, but while maintaining safety standards and making sure that we are keeping people safe.”
The Shoe Bomber’s Legacy and a New Era
The US federal government began requiring airline passengers to take off their shoes during security checks in 2006, roughly five years after British-born terrorist Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. But as effective as the policy was in combating that specific threat, it soon emerged as one of the most widely disliked aspects of airport security. It also added considerable time to queues, especially when getting stuck in line during peak travel periods, and often rushing at checkpoints.
The shoes off rule has apparently remained annoying enough that the TSA released an advertisement in October for its fee-based PreCheck service, which featured four people endorsing their membership for a single reason: They didn’t have to take their shoes off at the airport. “It’s my favorite thing,” one of them said.
“The key to our approach is layered security,” Secretary Noem said. “Passengers will still pass through multiple layers of screening. They’ll also go through identity verification.”
Now, advanced screening technologies, including Computed Tomography (CT) scanners and Artificial Intelligence-based threat detection devices, allow security agents to examine footwear in a high-resolution scan without the need to remove them. This technological advancement means effective security can coexist with improved passenger flow. The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, responded to the reports on X, calling it “big news” from the Department of Homeland Security, highlighting the importance of this policy evolution.
A Ghanaian Perspective on the Ground
For the majority of Ghanaian travelers, especially those visiting the US for the first time, the previous “shoes off” policy often added to an already intimidating experience. Imagine arriving at a bustling American airport, perhaps jet-lagged from a long flight, navigating unfamiliar signs, and then being instructed to remove your shoes, sometimes standing barefoot on a cold, public floor. It was an often-unspoken anxiety, a small but significant hurdle in the journey. This new policy provides a welcome sigh of relief, making the initial entry into the US feel a little less intimidating.
It also balances solid security with passenger convenience. A significant number of Ghanaians travel to the United States for various reasons – family, business, school, or medical care. Any effort that reduces stress and maximizes efficiency at one of their major entry points has a direct impact on their overall traveler experience. It sets a new benchmark on what good security can be worldwide.
This change in US airport security is a positive development that will make journeys to America smoother and less cumbersome. It signals a move towards more efficient and technologically driven security, something Ghanaians, too, can learn from.
As Nana Dwamena, a Ghanaian businessman on regular US travel put it recently, ” “Every minute saved at the airport is a minute I can use to prepare for my meetings or simply rest after a long journey. This ‘no-shoes’ rule makes a real difference.” This highlights the practical benefit for busy Ghanaian professionals who can squeeze the best out of every minute.
Comparing Security Landscapes
Security protocols at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) are typically in line with international aviation standards set by bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Travelers at KIA are used to the procedure of placing luggage through X-ray machines and walking through metal detectors. As of February 2024, however, a mandatory policy requires all passengers to remove their footwear for security screening at all Ghanaian airports, a measure implemented by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) under a directive from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Although additional selective screening of shoes or other items may still occur if an alarm is triggered or deemed necessary by officers, the general removal of shoes is now a universal requirement for all travelers passing through security checkpoints at KIA.
However, the key difference is the manner in which such technologies have been implemented. The US TSA’s change from mandatory shoe removal is a result of massive investment in high-end scanners. Ghana’s aviation authorities, though committed to security, might not yet have the large-scale deployment of such advanced systems that can do away with the need for manual checks for all passengers. The focus at KIA has largely been on visible security presence, comprehensive baggage screening, and stringent identity verification. The process at KIA, though comprehensive, often leans more towards adherence to established procedures and human oversight.
For instance,Ghana’s aviation security directives, like Part 17 of the Ghana Civil Aviation (Aviation Security) Directives, call for strict adherence to ICAO standards and regular screening of equipment. The US has even assisted Ghana in strengthening its airport security, donating advanced imaging passenger scanners and explosives trace detectors toKIA in 2021. This collaboration reflects a common interest in aviation safety. But, the pace of technological integration for passenger experience, like the new US shoe policy, could also vary depending on resource allocation and strategic priorities.
While Ghanaian officials, including the Minister-designate for The Interior, Henry Quartey, have reportedly advocated stricter compliance with existing protocols to prevent unauthorized access and ensure professionalism. The discussion around technology-driven efficiencies for passenger transit is still in its infancy compared to the US.This aligns with a growing chorus of Ghanaian travelers who, through various public forums and media reports, have voiced frustrations over a wide range of issues. This, ranging from alarming safety lapses and persistent traffic gridlock around the airport to customer service and perceived unofficial charges. Many travellers are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the airport experience.
Ghana’s Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, recently commissioned the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority Board to prioritize “safety and security in Ghana’s airspace in line with international standards” and to seek “renewed investment in advanced equipment for communication and surveillance systems.” This is a clear government acknowledgement of the need for continued improvement and modernization at our airports.
Beyond the Queue
This change is embedded deeply in the human travel experience. For most Ghanaians, traveling abroad is a serious thing, requiring many long hours of planning, savings, and emotional goodbyes. The process of travel can be exhausting. Every little efficiency, every removal of friction, translates into less stressful, more dignified travel. No more wrestling with laces or grappling with shoes while juggling passports and carry-ons will come a long way in easing security checks.
This is particularly true for our elderly travelers, who may find bending and balancing difficult, and for families with young children, for whom every extra step is a logistical nightmare. The simple act of keeping one’s shoes on, something taken for granted in everyday life, restores a small but meaningful sense of normalcy and personal space within the often-impersonal airport environment.
As one Ghanaian traveler shared online, “It’s the small things that make a big difference. Not having to unlace my shoes after a 10-hour flight will be a blessing.” This is the sentiment many travelers feel towards having less invasive and more efficient security procedures.
A New Frontier for Ghana Aviation Security
This policy shift by the American TSA is a powerful reminder that security is not static. It evolves with technology, threat assessments, and a deeper understanding of the human element in travel. It challenges us to consider how we might be able to use technology to make our own travel processes more efficient without compromising security.
The adoption of similar cutting-edge screening technologies in Ghana and across Africa will accelerate the process of streamlining. Balancing traditional security procedures with innovations that enhance the passenger experience remains essential. This move by the US is a global cue, and for Ghanaian travelers, it is one less thing to worry about, allowing them to focus on the purpose of their trip, whether for family, business, or leisure. It’s a small step that, for many, will feel like a giant leap towards more comfortable and efficient international travel.
The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has been actively promoting initiatives like “One-Stop Security (OSS)” to streamline protocols across African airports. It aims to “expedite passenger and baggage flows while eliminating costly and time-consuming duplication of security controls.”
The US policy shift offers a concrete example of how advanced technology can contribute to this vision. It presents an opportunity for Africans, especially Ghanaian aviation authorities to explore similar advancements and further enhance the travel experience for their citizens. This change also highlights the importance of information sharing and collaboration between countries on security best practices, a point consistently emphasized by both Ghanaian and American officials in the context of aviation security.
