Management of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has denied reports by former President John Mahama that government plans to sell-off the facility to a foreign company.
It has also rendered false, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer‘s claims that about US$600 million was invested in the Kotoka International Airport.
The management of GACL stated in a press release that the amount quoted by the former President was probably referring to the funding for projects in airports across the country including the Ho and Tamale Airports.
“Claim by Mr Mahama that an investment of $600 million was made at Kotoka is incorrect. The amount may be in reference to funding of projects in all airports including $130 million runway project at Tamale Airport and $25 million new airports in Ho.”
The management further noted that it has met its loan repayment obligations contrary to claims made by Mr Mahama.
“The claim that the GACL has been unable to service the syndicated loan facility is untrue. To date, GACL has met its repayment obligations under the loan facility,” the statement noted.
It adds that the government has extended its COVID-19 Relief Programme to support the Ghana Airport Company Limited.
“In conclusion, management of GACL would like to assure the general public that Kotoka International Airport is NOT FOR SALE. The vision of making Ghana the Preferred Aviation Hub and leader in Airport Business in West Africa remains a priority”, authorities indicated.
The NDC flagbearer has registered his disapproval to what he believes was an attempt by the government to hand over 66% shares of the Kotoka International Airport to TAM-SUMMA Consortium, a Turkish company. According to him, the government’s move on this matter is wrong and they must be stopped.
Speaking in an interview on Woezor TV on Sunday, the former President said during his time in office, valuation report showed that the airport was valued at about GH¢5 billion and hence it’s strange that the government plans to hand over 66% of control of the airport to the private company in exchange for $70 million.
“When we were in office, a valuation study of the Kotoka Airport was done and it was valued at over GH¢ 5 billion. It also had an insured value in the region of GH¢3 to GH¢4 billion because a lot of money had been invested in the airport and it had become one of the five best airports in Africa.”
“Now we are seeing a strange development where a Turkish company is being given the airport; to take over the airport and run it. For $70 million we are giving 66% of the airport to a Turkish company. We are against it.
It is wrong,” John Mahama said.
In July, the Aviation Ministry revealed that the Ministry is considering “a proposed Strategic Partnership Arrangement between GACL and TAV-SUMMA Consortium to improve service delivery and expansion of infrastructure at the Kotoka International Airport to achieve Government’s vision of making Ghana the Aviation Hub within the West African Sub-Region”.
The Ministry also revealed that Executive Approval had been granted by President Nana Akufo-Addo for the Ministry to facilitate the engagement of the Strategic Partners.
The announcement has since received criticisms from various quarters, including the Minority in Parliament and the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU).
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I’m Deborah Aba Narkoah. I’m an avid reader, writer and public speaker.
