The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has dismissed reports of operational and safety lapses at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
It follows widespread reports suggesting a series of allegations regarding equipment shortages, staff safety and restricted access protocols.
But management of GACL in a statement rebutted and described the reports as not only misrepresented but also false and misleading because they undermine the reputation of the aviation industry.
While warning that individuals spreading false information or defamatory content will face disciplinary and legal action, it added that it will continue to maintain world-class safety and operational standards at its facilities.
Read the full statement below:
“The attention of Management of GACL has been drawn to a publication in the Herald Newspaper of Friday, May 23, 2025, on various media platforms.
GACL wishes to respond as follows:
The article alleges that there is only one operational vehicle. On the contrary, the Airside Operations Section has two dedicated vehicles to support the airside operations, in addition to a fleet of operational vehicles available for round-the-clock use.
The assertion that only three pairs of wands are currently operational is false. The number of marshalling wands used depends on aircraft movement. Currently, there is a surplus of marshalling wands in stock for operations at the company’s central stores.
Staff of the Airside Operations Section have been provided with the required quantity of Personal Protective Equipment (i.e reflective vests, Wellington boots, raincoat, safety boots, hand gloves, ear defenders, googles & safety blankets). This assertion is categorically false. PPEs were distributed in Accra and the regional airports as well.
The claim that Motorola radios used for coordinating operations are mostly unserviceable is false. The Airside Operations section has been provided with adequate handheld and base radios for effective communication between the Airside Operations and Air Traffic Control.
Regarding access to some restricted areas of the airport, there is a protocol where Aviation Security grants staff access to restricted areas as and when necessary. This is to enhance security while maintaining safety standards, therefore, the allegation that airside staff are unable to access certain restricted areas to carry out inspections is false.
There is currently no agitation amongst the staff of Airside operations as a few bad nuts would want. Staff found complicit in fabricating and spreading malicious lies about the organisation to put the image of the company, the management and the government’s image into disrepute, emanating from their own parochial interest, will be dealt with severely.
Media houses that accept to disseminate defamatory articles without researching the facts will also be dealt with according to the full rigours of the law.
Ghana Airports Company Limited remains committed to providing the highest level of safety and security to both staff and passengers.
Facts and pictorial evidence of the items being purported to be lacking tools for airside operations are captured below.
