President Nana Akufo-Addo has terminated the appointment of Yaw Kwakwa, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited.
In a letter dated February 4, 2022, 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 Kwakwa.
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah added, “in this regard, kindly take the necessary steps to give effect to the directive. I count on your cooperation.”
The reasons for the sack of Kwakwa remain unclear, but in the last few weeks, the Airport Company and newly established private jet company operated by McDan Aviation have been involved in a back and forth publicly.
GACL had on January 1, 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.
In a statement, the Managing Director of McDan Aviation, Daniel McKorley, confirmed their suspension of operations as instructed by the Airport Company.
Meanwhile, the issue has been resolved and the aviation company has commenced operations.
The dismissed Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa has expressed surprise about his dismissal from office.
According to the embattled Manager, he is unaware of the termination of his appointment, thus, awaits an official correspondence to that effect.
The news about 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).
According to Kwesi Parker Wilson, the Management of GACL including the Deputy Transport Minister, Hassan Tampoli are equally shocked about the sack.
