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Aviation Ministry has no contract with LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited – Minister
The Ministry of Aviation has re-affirmed that the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has no contract with LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited, a local crisis management company, for the disinfection of airports in the country.
Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Aviation, stated that the company was rather in agreement with the Ministries of Health and Transport to fumigate and install disinfection systems at the Tema and Takoradi ports.
Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, he indicated that, although LCB Worldwide presented a proposal to the GACL on disinfection of the country’s airports, the cost implications was unbearable for the GACL saying that, it was erroneous for anyone to suggest that a non-existing contract had been diverted.
“Indeed, all I can say is that officers of LCB Worldwide were in my office and I directed them to GACL. My understanding is that they presented a proposal for consideration. Under this proposal to GACL, the US$19 million cost of the disinfection was to be recovered through a US$20 levy on domestic and international air passengers,” he added.
According to the Minister, imposition of such a levy violates the guidance and recommended practices on airport-related charges set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“The aviation industry is a well-regulated and coordinated sector. The IATA and ICAO’s main objective going forward is to ensure the growth of the global aviation industry. This means encouraging more passengers and luggage. Such a levy will increase airline fares, a move that frowns on the goals of the international aviation industry. It will be flatly resisted. This is why the proposal was not acceptable to us,” he added.
Even before the proposal, Mr Adda explained that the Ministry and GACL were considering disinfection of airports adding that an alternative company was given the approval to undertake the exercise using laid down government policy and due process.
He said Ghana’s effective disinfection measures and standards have received glowing commendation from IATA and had since been adopted for use in other countries and enabled resumption of domestic flights operations in the country.
In furtherance of the safety and security protocols at Ghana’s airports and make Ghana an aviation hub, the Minister noted that the Ministry was ready to partner with any company with the required capacity.
He urged the public to disregard the unsubstantiated claims by some members of the Greater Accra Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) which accuses the Minister and Managing Director of GACL of contract diversion.
Greater Accra Branch of GUTA has in a series of press conferences argued that LCB Worldwide had a contract to disinfect the exterior of the baggage, cargo, containers and other areas at the airport.
In view of that, the group said, they had petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo with regards to the development and looking forward to the right response with regards to installation of the right systems at the airports.
They argued that the Ministry of Aviation was performing the task of the Ministry of Health, as they were conducting disinfection supervision without any medical background and the concern of any authority on border-crossing.
By CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
