Ghana Airports Company Limited

Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is a company registered in January 2006 with responsibility for developing, maintaining, planning and managing airports such as Kotoka International Airport, Wa Airstrip, Tamale Airport, Sunyani Airport, Ho Airport, Kumasi Airport and other airstrips in Ghana.[1] It was established by result of the decoupling of the existing Ghana Civil Aviation Authority(GCAA) which was in line with current trends that are in the aviation industry.[2]

Ghana Airports Company Limited
TypePrivate
IndustryAviation
Founded2006 (2006)
Headquarters
Ghana
ServicesAirport management
WebsiteOfficial website

History

The GACL assumed some functions of the GCAA and also managing the airports after the amendment of the GCAA Act 2004, which was renewed on the 12th April 2007 and was licensed for continuous term of 7 years.[3] The company started business on 1st January 2007.[2]

Mission and Vision Statements

The Vision of the GACL is to position Ghana as the Preferred Aviation hub and leader in Airport Business in West Africa.

The Mission of the company is to provide world-class airport facilities and airstrips in Ghana.[4]

Functions of GACL

The functions of the company are to:

  • Provide rescue and firefighting equipment and services at the airports.
  • Provide safety and security for aircraft, passengers, cargo in accordance with best international practices.
  • Coordinate operations of agencies that provide support services at the airport to enhance overall efficiency.
  • Facilitate aircraft, passenger, cargo and mail movements.
  • Develop, manage and maintain airports and airstrips in Ghana.[4]

Projects

The GACL constructed the Terminal 3 at the KIA in March 2016 and was completed in June 2018 and was opened to the public after 3 months.[5]

It was claimed about US$350million was spent on the building of the Terminal 3 and other projects at KIA. The construction of a new runway at the Tamale Airport also was claimed to have cost about US$130million. Also, about US$25million was used for the building of a new airport at Ho in the Volta region of Ghana.[6]

Controversies

It was alleged the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Aviation planned to hand over the company to a Turkish investor. The workers of GACL embarked on a demonstration to show their disapproval of privatization of the company.[7][8][9][10][11]

The GACL clarified that travelers who did not pay for the Covid-19 test would be handed to state security officials. They made this statement after it was alleged some people were treated badly in a video that was circulating on social media.[12]

Challenges

Due to the impact of Covid-19, the company has been affected as it is struggling with lack of demand and increased unit charges. This has led to costs being passed to other sectors of the travel value chain to cover up the space.[13]

References
  1. "Air Ghana". www.airghana.com. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  2. "Ghana Airports Company Limited". SIGA : State Interests and Governance Authority. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  3. Online, Peace FM. "Ghana Airports Company & AVIANCE In Tug Of War". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  4. "Who We Are – GACL". Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  5. "Terminal 3, Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana". Airport Technology. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  6. "Airports Company engages lenders over debt". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  7. "Workers of Ghana Airports Company demonstrate against alleged privatisation plans". MyJoyOnline.com. 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  8. "Airport Workers Protest Alleged Privatization Of Company". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  9. "Ghana Airports gets strategic partner". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  10. "Kotoka International Airport is 'not for sale' - Ghana Airports to Mahama". BusinessGhana. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  11. Dodoo, Fuaad (2020-08-11). "Ghana Airports Company replies Mahama". Adomonline.com. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  12. "VIDEO: Ghana Airports Company reacts to passengers sleeping on benches at KIA". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  13. "Airlines to lose US$300,000 per minute as coronavirus impact lingers - IATA". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
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