…As its dereliction turns to witch-hunt
This paper, has picked up report about the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) efforts to downplay and conceal the alarming safety lapses at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), following a damning exposé by The Herald last Friday.
Airport insiders, have revealed that a vehicle hastily deployed to the airside and bats removed from airport storage facilities were last-minute attempts to gaslight the public and mislead the Presidency after the report was published.
The Herald, has also obtained information that, days before the exposé, concerned airside staff submitted a petition to GACL’s Managing Director, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare.
The petition outlined the hazardous conditions under which staff were operating and warned of a looming industrial action should their grievances, many of which predated the current MD’s tenure, remain unresolved.
However, rather than taking urgent steps to address the issues, the MD is said to have launched a witch-hunt to identify and punish the whistleblowers.
Sources within the company, say that on Friday, hours after the story was published, the MD, confronted a member of the airside team who had signed the petition.
She reportedly accused him of leaking information to The Herald, which she claimed was a calculated attempt to get her dismissed by President John Dramani Mahama.
Even more concerning are the threats allegedly being issued by MD. Staff members say they have been warned of summary dismissal if found to have shared internal reports with the media.
Rather than acknowledging the authenticity of the revelations and taking swift action to rectify the situation, GACL, appears more focused on damage control and intimidation.
“The Managing Director’s statement issued in response to the story is an insult to the intelligence of the Ghanaian people and the government,” an aviation source told The Herald. “It must be withdrawn immediately.”
Staff further allege that prior to the sudden deployment of a new airside vehicle on Friday, only one ageing and unfit-for-purpose car had been servicing a vast operational area. Staff see the timing of the new vehicle’s release, coinciding with The Herald’s publication, as a public relations stunt rather than a genuine operational improvement.
There is also growing concern over Mrs Opare’s alleged use of her personal relationship with President Mahama to intimidate staff.
Workers claim she often boasts about her closeness to the President, including alleged visits to his residence, in an attempt to portray herself as untouchable within the organisation.
“Instead of threats and scapegoating, there must be accountability,” an aviation analyst remarked. “Lives are at stake when safety is compromised at our national airport.”
“What is more worrying are the threats the MD is issuing, threatening staff with dismissals if identified. Instead of accepting the reality and the credibility of the report, and taking immediate steps to address the mess she is presiding over, they are now conducting a witch-hunt. The state must protect whistleblowers.
“Until this new vehicle was deployed yesterday, there was only one worn-out vehicle operating. The MD’s statement is an insult to Ghanaians and the government. It must be withdrawn,” the source added.
On Friday, GACL officially responded to The Herald’s report, categorically denying the allegations of critical safety lapses at KIA.
The company also warned media outlets sternly, stating: “Media houses that disseminate defamatory articles without verifying the facts will be dealt with according to the full rigours of the law.”
In a statement issued on May 23, 2025, GACL, described the claims published by The Herald as “false, baseless, and malicious”.
According to the report, a whistleblower from within GACL, alleged serious safety issues at KIA, particularly within the Airside Operations Unit. These included insufficient operational vehicles, outdated signalling equipment, a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and faulty communication systems.
These concerns reportedly led to growing unrest among airside staff, some of whom threatened to withdraw their services.
In its rebuttal, the company addressed each of the allegations in detail. GACL claimed that the Airside Operations Section operates two dedicated vehicles and a broader fleet that supports 24/7 operations.
On the issue of equipment shortages, the company said there is a surplus of marshalling wands in stock at its central stores, refuting claims that only three pairs were functional.
“The number of marshalling wands used depends on aircraft movements. Currently, there is a surplus in stock,” the statement read.
GACL also asserted that airside staff are adequately equipped with PPE, including reflective vests, safety boots, ear defenders, and other protective gear.
“This assertion is categorically false. PPEs were distributed in Accra and to regional airports as well,” the company noted.
On communication tools, GACL stated that the Airside Operations Unit is equipped with sufficient handheld and base radios to ensure seamless coordination with Air Traffic Control.
Addressing concerns about access to restricted areas, the company explained that Aviation Security manages such areas under strict protocols to maintain safety and security.
“The allegation that airside staff are unable to access restricted zones to conduct inspections is false,” the statement added.
The company also rejected claims of widespread staff agitation, stating that they were the work of a few individuals with self-serving motives.
“Staff found complicit in fabricating and spreading malicious lies about the organisation, with the aim of tarnishing the image of the company, its management, and the government for personal gain, will be dealt with severely.”
The statement concluded with a caution to media houses: “Media outlets that publish unverified stories will also face the full rigours of the law.”
GACL, however, urged the public to disregard the allegations and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, secure, and efficient airport operations across the country.
