…GCAA Fires Back at GhATSEA, Alleges Sabotage Attempt
TNR Files
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has rejected allegations of unfair labour practices, intimidation, coercion and victimisation levelled against its Director-General, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the Authority denied allegations that National Security personnel were deployed to intimidate staff, describing their presence at critical aviation installations as a necessary safety and security measure.
According to the GCAA, the dispute stems from an intended industrial action by GhATSEA, which the Authority referred to the National Labour Commission (NLC).
The GCAA said that after hearing both parties on January 14, 2026, the NLC ruled that the proposed strike was illegal on three grounds.
It said the Commission determined that GhATSEA, being an association rather than a certified trade union, lacked the legal capacity under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to declare a strike or negotiate conditions of service.
The NLC also reportedly found the strike notice procedurally defective and said the proposed action was prohibited under Regulations 20(e) and (h) of L.I. 1833.
The Commission subsequently advised GhATSEA to pursue its grievances through the Collective Bargaining Agreement, call off the intended strike and properly present its concerns to management for resolution, the GCAA said.
However, the Authority alleged that despite the NLC’s ruling, GhATSEA’s leadership advised members to proceed with the industrial action.
According to the GCAA, members were instructed not to attend to faults or handle equipment in Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) equipment rooms at Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sunyani.
The Authority further alleged that members were instructed to inform others that the safety of Ghana’s airspace could not be guaranteed.
The GCAA said such actions raised serious concerns because CNS systems play a critical role in the safe operation of civil aviation.
It explained that the deployment of National Security personnel to its installations was intended to protect critical aviation infrastructure and prevent what it described as a potential act of sabotage that could have endangered passengers, aircraft and flight operations.
“The presence of national security personnel at the installations of the Authority was therefore a necessary safety and security measure,” the Authority said.
The GCAA also claimed that its management, supported by National Security personnel stationed at the Accra International Airport, foiled what it described as an attempted sabotage by the GhATSEA President between 11:30 p.m. on January 14 and 4:30 a.m. on January 15, 2026.
The Authority maintained that the security intervention should not be interpreted as intimidation, harassment or victimisation of GhATSEA members.
It further rejected suggestions that the Director-General had embarked on a campaign of coercion, intimidation or victimisation, insisting that management’s actions had been guided by its statutory responsibility to ensure the safety, security and orderly operation of Ghana’s civil aviation system.
The GCAA said it respects employees’ legitimate rights to organise and raise workplace concerns through lawful and recognised mechanisms.
It nevertheless stressed that labour rights must be exercised without compromising critical aviation infrastructure or putting the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft at risk.
The Authority added that any prescribed and appropriate disciplinary action taken against staff who violate established rules and regulations should not be characterised as coercion, unfair labour practice, victimisation or intimidation.
The GCAA assured the travelling public that it would continue to take what it described as necessary and lawful measures to protect Ghana’s airspace and aviation infrastructure.