GCAA STAFF EMBARK ON STRIKE OVER ENCROACHED AIRPORT LANDS

Staff of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), began a four-day strike from yesterday, Tuesday July 5, to July 8, in protest for the release of some encroached aviation lands.

According to the staff, their action could result in flight disruptions at the Kotoka International Airport.

The strike may result in some disruptions to services of the GCAA from the following sections as part of the road map toward securing the La Nkwantanang lands:

•  Audit and Finance – no issuance of some cheques;
•  AIS – no circulation of domestic NOTAM and flight plans; 
• Drivers – no transport services after picking and dropping staff;
• Safety Regulations – no inspections; 
•  Exit and Procurement – no services to external clients

The staff served notice of the intended strike on June 21, over the encroachment and warned that the appropriation of lands reserved for aviation traffic purposes by private developers and politicians risked compromising aviation security and safety in Ghana.

In a statement, the staff said lands at Adenta (La Nkwantanang) and Labadi (La Wireless) meant to be developed into receiving and transmitting stations, respectively, have been appropriated for residential purposes, thus, exposing Ghana’s air transport safety and security to vulnerability.

“For months, HF equipment, purchased by GCAA, worth over 600,000 Euros for installation at La Nkwantanang to enhance communication are still in GCAA’s stores. Our engineers have been denied access to the site to make a preliminary preparation ahead of the arrival of their foreign counterparts due in the country on the 1st of July, 2016,” the statement said.

“Our inability to install the HF equipment, as well as other navigational equipment at the site, will have a dire consequence on aviation safety in Accra airspace. The control of aircraft over the Oceanic is seriously being hampered by this unfortunate situation.

“We are aware that the management of GCAA, as well as the Ministry of Transport, has made several appeals and has justified the need to, at least, give about 250 acres of the land back to GCAA, but all to no avail.

“We want to reiterate that if the said land is not released for the installation of this vital equipment, the system can shut down and we may not be able to provide Air Traffic Services over the ocean and other portions of the airspace. This will have safety and security implications for the country and the industry in general,” the staff warned.