GACL MD reacts to his dismissal
Embattled Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited [GACL ], Yaw Kwakwa, has expressed surprise about his dismissal from office.
According to him, he is unware of the termination of his appointment and is thus awaiting official correspondence from the Presidency.
The news about Mr. Kwakwa’s dismissal broke whilst he was leading Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee to inspect the McDan Aviation facility at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
“I don’t know what you are talking about. My appointment has not been terminated so if you have any evidence… I don’t know about it,…. but when I get to that bridge I will cross it,” Mr. Kwakwa told the media when he was asked about his dismissal on Wednesday.
According to reports, Management of GACL including the Deputy Transport Minister, Hassan Tampoli, who were with Mr. Kwakwa got equally astonished upon hearing the news.
In a letter dated February 4, 2022, addressed to the Company’s Board Chair, the Transport Minister said, “per a letter No OSP127/22/104 dated on January 31, 2022,” the President has directed the sacking of Mr. Kwakwa.
“In this regard, kindly take the necessary steps to give effect to the directive. I count on your cooperation,” added the Transport Minister.
It is unclear why Mr Kwakwa was sacked, but in the last few weeks, the Airport Company and newly established private jet company operated by McDan Aviation have been involved in a scuffle.
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On January 1, the GACL ordered the newly launched McDan Aviation to suspend the use of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) until further notice.
In a letter signed on January 31, by then Managing Director of the Company, Yaw Kwakwa, he referenced a notice to the company to suspend its inauguration of the Private Jet Terminal last Friday, which was not adhered to.
Consequently, he said, “We note with concern your failure to comply with the directive despite the outstanding issues on the prior terms and conditions for the use and operations of Terminal 1 as a Private Jet Terminal.
“Management has consequently directed the suspension of your use of Terminal 1 until further notice.”
The CEO of McDan Aviation was “requested to relinquish the keys to enable Management to undertake a Joint Inventory by close of business day, Monday, January 31.”
The Company has accused McDan Aviation of breaching the laid down procedure after procuring its license to operate in 2019.
It raised concerns in a letter on January 28, the scheduled date for the McDan Group of Companies’ private jet service launch at KIA Terminal 1 in Accra.
Despite a GACL directive to call off the event, McDan Aviation went ahead to hold the ceremony. It was, however, boycotted by GACL leadership.
The Managing Director of McDan Aviation, Daniel McKorley, wrote to confirm their suspension of operations as instructed by the Airport Company.
