Latest On Air - traffic Controllers Strike Action

The Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Wing Commander Andy Mensah has said the management of the CAA is prepared to hold discussions with Air Traffic Controllers who embarked on a sit-down strike on 2 November to back their demands for a monthly salary of $1,400.00, car loans and housing facilities. Speaking to newsmen in Accra on the situation, Wing Commander Mensah said the Authority cannot treat the demands of the Air Traffic Controllers in isolation because it will spiral other workers to demand better working conditions. He, however, submitted that the Authority is aware of the sensitive nature of air traffic control in the Authority's operations. Management has accordingly pledged to consider their demands in accordance with the labour regulations. GRi correspondent James Amoak says Wing Commander Mensah revealed that three months ago, Air Traffic Controllers to be given bonuses equivalent to their monthly salary in addition to a salary increase of 75% across the Board. In his view the Air Traffic Controllers demand for a salary of $1,400.00 a month, car loans, free fuel, 35% risk allowance 25% night allowance and free accommodation is just beyond what the CAA can bear. In a press statement issued on 3 November, the Ghana Air Traffic Controllers Association pointed out that the management of Ghana Civil Aviation met representatives of the Association on November 2 and told them that the GCAA Board had no power to meet their demands.

The GCAA management asked members of the striking Air Traffic Controllers Association to vacate the premises of the Authority. Armed soldiers were sent in to guard the area. Furthermore, management decided to dispense with the services of Air Traffic Control Management staff whose licenses were considered invalid in accordance with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority's Air Traffic Control Operational instructions (chapter 9, para 3. 12) Meanwhile , Air Traffic Instructors and Management Staff of the Air Traffic services (Dept.) are manning the control tower at the Kotoka International Airport. The Director of Air Traffic Services Mr.. Edwin Addo told newsmen that the management staff are qualified to man the control tower since they were trained abroad and locally on Air Traffic Control. He assured all airlines operating in Ghana that the country's airspace is safe.