The escalating legal and operational battle between McDan Aviation and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has sparked a fierce intervention from the Coalition of GaDangme Pressure Groups, who warn that the row is now a litmus test for the protection of local businesses.
In a strongly worded press conference held in Accra, the coalition cautioned that the forceful termination of McDan’s licence at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) private jet terminal sends a chilling signal to both local and international investors.
The coalition reminded authorities that the facility in question, now Ghana’s first private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) terminal, was a result of massive private capital.
The group noted that the site was largely neglected after operations shifted to Terminal 3, until indigenous investment breathed new life into the infrastructure.
“With an investment running into several millions of dollars, the company transformed the facility into Ghana’s first private Fixed Base Operator terminal,” the statement noted, adding that the project was a strategic move to cement Ghana’s status as a regional hub for executive and business aviation.
Central to the coalition’s grievance is the reported financial standing of McDan Aviation. Despite the GACL’s move to terminate the agreement, the group pointed to records suggesting the company had been a consistent tenant.
“Information available to the public indicates that McDan Aviation honoured its rental obligations under the licence agreement for several years,” the coalition stated.
The group expressed particular outrage over recent reports that equipment was removed from the terminal premises by airport authorities, allegedly shortly after a court injunction had been served to halt such actions.
“This matter goes beyond a simple contractual disagreement; it raises critical national questions about investor confidence, fairness, and the protection of indigenous enterprise in Ghana,” the coalition argued.
While the coalition acknowledged that the judiciary will have the final say on the legalities of the lease, they insisted that the manner in which the state treats its primary investors is a matter of public concern.
“Particularly disturbing are reports that equipment belonging to the company was removed from the premises shortly after a court injunction had reportedly been served on the airport authority,” the group added.
The coalition concluded with a stark warning to the government: if local entrepreneurs are made to feel disposable, the wider economy will suffer.
“If Ghanaian investors begin to feel unsafe or vulnerable in their own country, the consequences for national development could be significant,” the statement warned, urging a swift return to due process to preserve Ghana’s reputation as a stable investment destination.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com