GCAA denies abuse of power allegations against D-G

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has firmly rejected allegations of abuse of power, intimidation and victimisation brought against its Director-General, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Auther, by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA). The GCAA emphasized that these allegations, which included claims of the use of National Security personnel to intimidate staff, were unfounded and did not accurately reflect the current situation at the Authority.

According to a statement issued by the GCAA, the dispute arose from a directive issued by GhATSEA requesting its members to refrain from attending to faults or handling equipment in Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) rooms at various airports. The GCAA clarified that this directive was a response to a ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC), which found that GhATSEA lacked the legal capacity under the Labour Act (Act 651) to declare a strike or negotiate conditions of service.

Additionally, the NLC deemed GhATSEA’s strike notice to be procedurally flawed and prohibited under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1833. In light of this, the GCAA deployed National Security personnel to safeguard critical aviation infrastructure and prevent potential sabotage, which was deemed necessary to protect lives and operations.

The Authority urged the public not to misconstrue these security measures as harassment or victimisation of GhATSEA members, but rather as essential steps to safeguard Ghana’s airspace and aviation system. The GCAA commended the actions of its management and Rev. Auther in protecting the country’s airspace and infrastructure, stressing that all actions were within the Authority’s statutory mandate to ensure the safety, security, and smooth operation of Ghana’s civil aviation system.

The GCAA affirmed its respect for employees’ rights to organise and raise workplace concerns through lawful and recognised channels, promising to continue engaging in constructive dialogue and resolving grievances through appropriate channels. The Authority assured the travelling public that it would persist in taking all necessary and lawful measures to protect Ghana’s airspace and aviation infrastructure.