Advanced Warning System (AWS) Incorporated” Systems Not for Sale to Private Firms, Only for Governments Under BOT Model – Sefabed and U.S. AFRICOM Officials

Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated, a globally recognised provider of high-precision cargo and security scanning technology, will only do business with sovereign governments under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) framework and not with private entities, officials associated with the company and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Ghana have reiterated.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Abednego Orstin Rawlings, identified as President of United States Africa Command–Ghana (AFRICOM), stated that under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, any engagement with Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated must be done strictly by the Government of Ghana and not by private business groups.

He said Advanced Waring System(AWS), Incorporated operates on a government-to-government basis and gives huge significant upfront money through it credit Banks for investment to the host nation, with the system operated under a BOT arrangement for a period of 10 to 12 years, after which full ownership is transferred to the state, he indicated.

“Advanced Warning System(AWS), Incorporated will not and must not entertain private businesses under any circumstances.

Only the Government of Ghana can do business with Advanced Warning System, Incorporated,” Mr. Rawlings stressed.

According to him, the BOT model is designed to protect national security, ensure transparency, and guarantee that critical border and cargo-scanning infrastructure remains under state control, he pointed out.

Under this arrangement, Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated installs and operates its systems for an agreed period, during which it recovers its investment, before transferring full ownership to the host government — in this case, the Republic of Ghana.

Sefabed named exclusive local partner
SEFABED Company Limited, the Ghanaian firm fronting the Advanced Warning System(AWS), Incorporated project in the country, says it is the only entity authorised to introduce Advanced Warning System(AWS), Incorporated to the Government of Ghana and to facilitate all engagements under the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT), framework.

In a statement, the company said it has more than three official letters from the Ministry of Transport explicitly referencing Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated, SEFABED Company Limited, and El Jaroudi Establishment, confirming its role as the recognised local partner.

“SEFABED Company Limited was, is and remains the only company in Ghana and West Africa authorised to introduce Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and other Heads of State,” the statement said.

The company added that Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated has made it clear it deals only with sovereign nations and does not sell or license its systems to private firms for independent operation.

Security and integrity concerns Mr. Rawlings warned that allowing private entities to operate such sensitive scanning systems “IGRIS”could undermine national security and open the door to abuse.

He said private operators could deliberately claim system faults, power failures or lack of spare parts — even though the Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated system includes solar backup — to allow certain cargoes to pass unchecked.

“This creates the risk that containers belonging to their clients could be cleared without proper inspection, enabling the importation of prohibited or dangerous goods into Ghana,” he said.

According to intelligence received by United States Africa Command, Ghana(AFRICOM-Ghana), another private firm in Ghana is reportedly seeking to approach Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated to develop a separate system, possibly for aviation, outside the government-led framework.

However, Mr. Rawlings said the Ministry of Transport has already expressed interest in deploying Advanced Warning System (AWS), You Incorporated IGRIS scanners across all four transport sectors and has invited Advanced Warning System (AWS) Incorporated technical experts to Ghana for further engagement, he stated.

Presentation to Transport Ministry
SEFABED disclosed that it sponsored an international agent of Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated to Ghana on October 5, 2025, and on October 6, a detailed Power Point presentation was delivered to directors at the Ministry of Transport.

“The directors expressed strong appreciation for the system and how it operates,” the company said, adding that all further steps are expected to go through parliamentary approval and the national procurement process.

SEFABED said it is fully prepared for these processes and is acting in the best interest of Ghana and its international partners.

World-class technology
Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated is described as a world-leading security and cargo-scanning firm, with reported accuracy levels of up to 99.9 percent.

Its systems are currently used at entry points across the United States and many Western countries.

The company’s Build Operate and Transfer (BOT), policy, officials say, is designed to ensure that such critical infrastructure is not commercialised in ways that could compromise security or national sovereignty.

Under Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated rules and policies, after 10 to 12 years of operation, full ownership and control of the system must revert to the host nation.

“Just as Ghana owns and operates Tema and Takoradi Ports, Ghana must also own and operate the entire IGRIS scanning system — without exception,” SEFABED said.

The firm also noted that Advanced Warning System (AWS), Incorporated submitted a proposal to a previous government in November 2021, but the process did not progress.

With President Mahama now in office, SEFABED and its partners say they are ready to advance the project strictly under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model, with the Government of Ghana as the sole contracting authority.