President Nana Akufo-Addo has terminated the appointment of Yaw Kwakwa, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited.

In a letter dated February 4, 2022, to the Company's Board Chair, the Transport Minister said, "per a letter No OSP127/22/104 dated on January 31, 2022," the President has directed the sacking of Mr Kwakwa.

Kwaku Ofori Asiamah added, “in this regard, kindly take the necessary steps to give effect to the directive. I count on your cooperation.”

It is unclear why Mr Kwakwa was sacked but in the last few weeks, the Airport Company and newly established private jet company operated by McDan Aviation have been involved in a back and forth publicly.

GACL vs McDan Aviation saga

On January 1, the GACL ordered the newly launched McDan Aviation to suspend the use of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) until further notice.

In a letter signed on January 31, by then Managing Director of the Company, Yaw Kwakwa, he referenced a notice to the company to suspend its inauguration of the Private Jet Terminal last Friday, which was not adhered to.

Consequently, he said, “We note with concern your failure to comply with the directive despite the outstanding issues on the prior terms and conditions for the use and operations of Terminal 1 as a Private Jet Terminal.

“Management has consequently directed the suspension of your use of Terminal 1 until further notice.”

The CEO of McDan Aviation was “requested to relinquish the keys to enable Management to undertake a Joint Inventory by close of business day, Monday, January 31.”

The Company has accused McDan Aviation of breaching the laid down procedure after procuring its license to operate in 2019.

It raised concerns in a letter on January 28, the scheduled date for the McDan Group of Companies’ private jet service launch at KIA Terminal 1 in Accra.

Despite a GACL directive to call off the event, McDan Aviation went ahead to hold the ceremony. It was, however, boycotted by GACL leadership.

The Managing Director of McDan Aviation, Daniel McKorley, wrote to confirm their suspension of operations as instructed by the Airport Company.

Meanwhile, the issue has been resolved and the aviation company has started operations.