The management of Ghana Airports Company Ltd (GACL) has debunked claims by the former president John Mahama that Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is up for sale.
The GACL management, in a statement dated 10 August 2020, said their attention has been drawn to an interview granted by the former president on Woezor TV, in which he made certain claims about Kotoka Airport that are palpably false.
“For the record, Kotoka International Airport is not for sale or being privatised as stated by GACL in an earlier press release. Rather, an unsolicited proposal has been received from a Turkish consortium which is yet to be considered.
“It is rather unfortunate that certain figures from the proposal are being used to peddle untruths,” the statement read.
Funding airport projects
The GACL statement further responded to specific comments attributed to John Mahama during the interview he granted the pro-NDC television station.
Mahama: “An investment of almost $600 million was done in that airport, Kotoka International Airport (KIA).”
GACL: “The claim that an investment of $600 million was made at Kotoka International Airport is incorrect. The amount may be in reference to funding of projects in all airports, including a $130 million runway project at Tamale Airport and $25 million new airport in Ho.”
Mahama: “They talk about not being able to service the loans that were taken to develop the airport.”
GACL: “The claim that GACL has been unable to service the syndicated loan facility is untrue. To date, GACL has met its repayment obligations under the loan facility.”
Force majeure
Mahama: “Apart from that, these loans are insured anyway and so if government has not triggered force majeure, the way to go is not to sell off the airport.”
GACL: “It is not the government’s responsibility to invoke the force majeure clause. GACL at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the force majeure provision under the loan agreement and has been in discussion with its lenders to meet its obligations. Additionally, government has, under the COVID Relief Programme, extended relief support to GACL.”
In conclusion, the statement reiterated the position of the management of GACL: Kotoka International Airport is not for sale. The vision of the company – to make Ghana the preferred aviation hub and leader in the airport business in West Africa – remains its priority, he said.
Click on the link below to read the full statement by GACL.
Statement by the management of Ghana Airports Company Ltd
Wilberforce Asare / Asaase Radio
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