The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has rejected allegations of unfair labour practices, victimisation, coercion, and intimidation levelled against its Director-General, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA).
In a press release issued on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, the Authority also defended the presence of National Security personnel at its installations, describing it as a necessary safety and security measure rather than an act of harassment.
The GCAA said the dispute arose from an intended industrial action by GhATSEA, which it referred to the National Labour Commission (NLC).
After hearing both parties on 14 January 2026, the NLC ruled that the proposed strike was illegal on three principal grounds: GhATSEA, as an association and not a certified trade union, lacked legal capacity under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to declare a strike or negotiate conditions of service; the strike notice was procedurally defective; and the proposed action was prohibited under Regulations 20(e) and (h) of L.I. 1833.
The Commission advised GhATSEA to initiate grievances in accordance with the Collective bargaining agreement, call off the intended strike immediately, and properly bring its issues before management for expeditious resolution.
Despite the NLC’s ruling, the GCAA stated that GhATSEA’s leadership advised members to proceed with the industrial action.
Members were allegedly instructed not to attend to faults or touch equipment in the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) equipment rooms at Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sunyani, and to inform others that the safety of the airspace could not be guaranteed.
Given the critical role of CNS systems in aviation safety, the Authority said it could not ignore the potential risks to passengers and flight operations.
The presence of national security personnel was therefore a proactive measure to protect critical aviation infrastructure and prevent what it described as an intended act of sabotage that could have endangered lives and aircraft operations.
“Management, led by the Director-General and supported by National Security personnel stationed at Accra International Airport, should rather be commended for foiling the attempted sabotage by the GhATSEA President between 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, and 04:30 a.m. on Thursday, 15 January 2026,” the statement said.
The GCAA also rejected any suggestion that the Director-General had embarked on a campaign of coercion, intimidation or victimisation.
It emphasised that its actions were guided by its statutory responsibility to ensure the safety, security and orderly operation of Ghana’s civil aviation system.
While respecting employees’ legitimate rights to organise and raise workplace concerns through lawful and recognised mechanisms, and remaining committed to constructive dialogue, the Authority stressed that the exercise of labour rights must not compromise critical aviation infrastructure or endanger the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft.
“Any prescribed and appropriate disciplinary actions taken against staff who have fallen foul of the rules and regulations cannot be characterised as coercive, unfair labour practice, victimisation or intimidation,” it added.
The GCAA assured the travelling public that it will continue to take all necessary and lawful measures to protect Ghana’s airspace and aviation infrastructure.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
