The National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, says he was surprised to learn that the Management of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has interdicted the security officer who conducted a pre-boarding search on him.

According to the Minister, the Company's reaction to the occurrence is unnecessary.

A security guard based at Kumasi Airport, Awudu Basit, was interdicted for conducting a pre-boarding search on the National Security Minister.

In a letter dated September 8, GACL explained that Basit’s search of Albert Kan-Dapaah at the VVIP Lounge at the Kumasi Airport was embarrassing and had created a “negative impression” for the Company.

But in an interview with The Fourth Estate, Mr. Kan-Dapaah expressed surprise about the extent to which GACL went to discipline the security officer.

“I spent over 40 minutes at the waiting room and he did not ask to screen me. However, just before I was about to board and in the full glare of so many people he demanded to search me.

“There was absolutely no disrespect,” he said.

He therefore, asked the Company to overturn the security guard's interdiction.

“Last Monday, an official from the Ghana Airports came to my office to apologise and I did explain that there was no need for an apology because there was no disrespect towards me by the officer,” he told The Fourth Estate.