Ghanair-Nationwide deal lacks transparency

The Minister of Roads and Transport, Dr. Richard Anane, is in deep trouble over his role in the Ghanair's partnership deals with the Nation-wide, a South African toddle company.

Insiders say the partnership deals with the Nation -wide, which the sector Minister of Roads and Transport was a key figure in signing, was shrouded in secrecy and lacked transparent and open tendering.

In the wake of the storm, Ghana Airways Retired Staff Association (GARSA) in Ghana and UK, in concert with the serving staff have raised an alarm over what they described as lack of transparency in the partnership deals between the national airline (Ghanair) and Nation-wide.

GARSA has therefore slammed Dr Anane, for his role in the partnership deal with Nation-wide, describing the deals as questionable, since, according to them, they lacked transparency. The sentiments of GARSA were contained in a petition they submitted to President J.A Kufuor on Thursday.

The petitioners also copied it to the Council of State, the TUC, The Speaker of Parliament, both Majority and Minority leaders at Parliament House, the accused, Dr Anane, and the Board of the Directors of Ghanair.

The retired staff asserted that all the reasonable pieces of advice they offered for salvaging the deteriorating management of the airline had been ignored, "since we now believe that there is no transparency in handling the partnership deals by the present sector minister who, refused to consider whatever views the workers offered," say the petitioners.

GARSA further appeals to the President to step in, to rescue the airline from what they termed self-seekers, and by reason of the nation's identity. The petitioners pleaded with the President to consider all the company's expressed interests in the partnership or management of Ghanair and compare it with the offer by the Nation-wide. "

The Nation-wide Airline which can only be confidently likened to a "lean cow attempting to swallow a fat cow," the petitioners complained.

They expressed grave concern about special privileges preserved for the Nation-wide in the partnership deal and called on the president to use his good offices to avert any under hand deal in the said partnership.

"Essentially, it is our contention that since the questionable partnership deal with the Nation-wide airline has generated a considerable cloud of criticism and dissatisfaction due to political infringement, we strongly suggest that a retrospective look at this perennial issue is taken without delay," they said.

According to GARSA, Nation-wide, with only seven years in the airline industry, was given the nod by the minister over the more credible airlines that expressed interest in the partnership with Ghanair.

GARSA therefore wants any partnership deal on the cards to be handled with care and in transparency for the common interest of the nation. Again, the retired staff pleaded for a critical look into the present human resources of Ghana Airways to correct administrative lapses.

GARSA therefore appealed to the President to bring in some past credible chief executives such as Group Capt. Frank Okyne or Capt Sam as a stop- gap measure while inefficient members within the set up of Ghanair are relieved.