The Committee for Public Accountability (CPA) has criticised the government’s recent takeover of the private jet terminal operated by McDan Aviation, labelling the move a potential threat to investor confidence in Ghana.
The controversy follows the decision by Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to terminate its Fixed Base Operator (FBO) agreement with the McDan Group.
GACL has cited a string of contractual breaches, including significant arrears in licence fees, rent, and royalties, as the basis for the eviction. However, the optics of the takeover, reportedly involving armed state operatives, have sparked a debate regarding administrative justice.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, March 26, at the Press Centre in Accra, the Executive Chairman of the CPA, Collins Owusu Amankwah, challenged the legal procedural integrity of the eviction. He called for the immediate public release of the original contract between GACL and McDan Aviation to allow for independent scrutiny.
Mr Amankwah raised a series of pointed questions regarding the bypass of the judiciary in what he describes as a “commercial tenancy dispute”.
“These are begging questions. What precedent does this set for private investors operating on government concessions? Did Ghana Airport Company Limited obtain a court order before the eviction? Was the McDan Group given adequate notice as required by the government?” he queried.
A central point of contention for the Committee is the alleged presence of national security personnel during the exercise.
The CPA argues that using the state security apparatus to resolve a financial disagreement between a state agency and a private entity sets a “dangerous precedent” for the ease of doing business in Ghana.
“Why were national security operatives involved in a commercial tenancy dispute? What legal basis justified the forceful takeover of this facility?” Mr Amankwah asked, adding that the committee is now seeking a formal explanation from the Ministry of Transport.
The McDan Jet Terminal, which opened with much fanfare as the first of its kind in the sub-region, was positioned as a key component of Ghana’s bid to become an aviation hub. Industry analysts warn that forceful takeovers without clear judicial backing could signal instability to foreign and local venture capitalists.
The CPA has officially petitioned for Parliamentary oversight into the matter, insisting that the rule of law must supersede administrative convenience.
“The Committee for Public Accountability will continue to monitor this matter closely and will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that there’s administrative justice in this country,” Mr Amankwah concluded.
As of press time, the GACL has maintained that it acted within its rights to protect state revenue, though it has yet to provide the specific court documents requested by the CPA.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com