The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has clarified that the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is not experiencing operational and safety lapses.

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GACL's clarification comes after recent reports alleging equipment shortages, staff security concerns and challenges with restricted access protocols at the Airport.

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However, the GACL in a statement has called the claims false and misleading, adding that they represent a deliberate attempt to undermine the KIA's reputation built over time.

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According to GACL, "The article alleges that there is only one operational vehicle. On the contrary the Airside Operations Section has two dedicated vehicles to support the airside operations, in addition to a fleet of operational vehicles available for round the clock use".

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It added that the only three pairs of wands are currently operational is false, explaining that the number of marshalling wands used depends on aircraft movement.

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GACL emphasized that "currently there is a surplus of marshalling wands in stock for operations at the company’s central stores".

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Reacting to the safety breaches, it added that staff of Airside Operations Section were distributed with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) in Accra and the regional airports as well.

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Meanwhile, GACL has indicated that it will deal with individuals behind the defamatory allegations.

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"Media houses who accept to disseminate defamatory articles without researching the facts will also be dealt with according to the full rigors of the law," parts of the statement added.

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Read the full statement below:

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“The attention of Management of GACL has been drawn to a publication in the Herald Newspaper of Friday, May 23, 2025 on various media platforms.

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GACL wishes to respond as follows:

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The article alleges that there is only one operational vehicle. On the contrary the Airside Operations Section has two dedicated vehicles to support the airside operations, in addition to a fleet of operational vehicles available for round the clock use.

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The assertion that only three pairs of wands are currently operational is false. The number of marshalling wands used depends on aircraft movement. Currently there is a surplus of marshalling wands in stock for operations at the company’s central stores.Staff of Airside Operations Section have been provided with the required quantity of Personal Protective Equipment (i.e reflective vests, wellington boots, raincoat, safety boots, hand gloves, ear defenders, googles & safety blankets). This assertion is categorically false. PPE’s were distributed in Accra and the regional airports as well.

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The claim that Motorola radios used for coordinating operations are mostly unserviceable is false. The Airside Operations section has been provided with adequate handheld and base radios for effective communication between the Airside Operations and Air Traffic Control.

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Regarding access to some restricted areas of the airport, there is a protocol where Aviation Security grant staff access to restricted areas as and when necessary. This is to enhance security while maintaining safety standards, therefore the allegation of airside staff unable to access certain restricted areas to carry out inspections is false.

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There is currently no agitation amongst staff of Airside operations as a few bad nuts would want. Staff found complicit in fabricating and spreading malicious lies about the organization to put the image of the company, the management and the government’s image into disrepute emanating from their own parochial interest will be dealt with severely.

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Media houses who accept to disseminate defamatory articles without researching the facts will also be dealt with according to the full rigors of the law.

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Ghana Airports Company Limited remains committed to providing the highest level of safety and security to both staff and passengers.

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Facts and pictorial evidence of the items being purported to be lacking tools for airside operations are captured below”.

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