The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has rejected allegations by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA) of unfair labour practices, intimidation, coercion and victimisation by management.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the GCAA said its decision to involve national security personnel at its installations was prompted by concerns over the protection of critical aviation infrastructure following an intended industrial action by GhATSEA.
The Authority said it had referred the planned industrial action to the National Labour Commission (NLC), which, after hearing both parties on Jan. 14, 2026, ruled that the proposed strike was illegal.
According to the GCAA, the NLC found that GhATSEA, being an association rather than a certified trade union, did not have the legal capacity under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to declare a strike or negotiate conditions of service.
The Commission 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 GCAA said the NLC subsequently directed GhATSEA to pursue its grievances through the mechanisms provided in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and to call off the intended strike.
The Authority, however, alleged that GhATSEA’s leadership subsequently instructed members not to attend to faults or touch equipment at Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) equipment rooms in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sunyani.
It further alleged that members were instructed to tell others that the safety of Ghana’s airspace could not be guaranteed.
The GCAA said such actions raised serious safety and security concerns because CNS systems are critical to the safe operation of civil aviation.
It said the deployment of national security personnel to its installations was therefore a necessary measure to protect critical infrastructure and prevent what it described as an intended act of sabotage.
The Authority also alleged that its management, with the support of national security personnel stationed at Kotoka International Airport, foiled an attempted sabotage involving the GhATSEA president between 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 and 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2026.
The GCAA said the actions taken by management should not be interpreted as intimidation, harassment or victimisation of GhATSEA members.
It maintained that its actions were guided by its statutory responsibility to ensure the safety, security and orderly operation of Ghana’s civil aviation system.
The Authority said it respected employees’ rights to organise and raise workplace concerns through lawful and recognised mechanisms, adding that it remained committed to dialogue and the resolution of grievances through appropriate channels.
It nevertheless cautioned that the exercise of labour rights must not compromise critical aviation infrastructure or endanger passengers, crew or aircraft.
The GCAA further defended any disciplinary measures taken against staff who breached applicable rules and regulations, saying such measures could not be characterised as coercion, unfair labour practices, victimisation or intimidation.
The Authority 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.
source: www.kumasimail.com
