‘My appointment has not been terminated’ – GACL MD

Dismissed Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), Yaw Kwakwa, says he is oblivious of a directive from President Akufo-Addo to terminate his appointment.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My appointment has not been terminated,” he told journalists on Wednesday, 9 February 2022.

Mr Kwakwa had gone on routine inspection at the Kotoka International Airport when he was asked by pressmen about the development.

A statement signed by the Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, directed the Board Chairman of the GACL to take the necessary steps to effect the directive of terminating Mr Kwakaw’s appointment.

It is unclear the reasons behind the termination of Mr Kwakwa’s appointment.

But when asked if he would be surprised when he is finally told of his dismissal, the MD indicated that he would find a way to handle it.

“When I get to that bridge I will cross it,” He replied, with confidence.

There has been a recent banter between the GACL MD and Ghanaian business magnate Danial McKorley.

On 1 January, the GACL ordered the newly launched McDan Aviation, operated by Mr McKorley, to suspend the use of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) until further notice.

GACL accused McDan Aviation of breaching the laid down procedure after procuring its license to operate in 2019.

It also said it had noticed with concern, McDan’s disregard for the norms of doing business in the aviation sector, which required strict adherence to safety and security rules.

“Indeed, you have engaged in several activities without prior approval from GACL, which has typically called for emergency corrective actions,” the notice explained.

The GACL went ahead and cited one major example relating to the commencement of construction of the private jet terminal without a Plan of Construction Operation (PCO) approval from GACL.

“We only became aware of your construction activities during routine security patrols, and we had to ask you to stop and submit a PCO for review and approval before construction continued,” the GACL said.

The GACL later granted MacDan the permit to operationalize the Private Jet at Terminal 1 at the KIA.