Ex-Ghanair CEO Rejects Recall

THE FORMER Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Airways, Mr. William Pamford Bray who was asked to give way to the just dismissed chief executive, Mr. Philip Owusu, has said he would not accept to serve as the substantive CEO of the national carrier.

Mr. Bray?s comment came as a result of some members of the board of directors of the airline expressing interest in bringing him back.

The Roads and Transport minister, Dr. Richard Anane, asked Mr. Bray to hand over to Mr. Owusu last May without assigning any official reason.

In an interview with The Chronicle, Mr. Bray, who remained a member of the board, said it was not his intension to go back as chief executive.

?I have finished my National Service,? he added.

The former CEO was regarded by experts in the aviation industry as the right person who could have lifted the airline from its predicament.

It was during his tenure of office that Ghana Airways paid $20 million of its $167 million debt in 2002.

It was also during his administration that the airline consistently recorded net profits, which enabled the management of the airline to end the seizure of its aircrafts at some airports.

Currently, the airline owes about $160 million in debts. Alitalia, one of such creditors, seized one of its aircraft last year for failure to settle a $25million bill.

Mr. Bray said he did not agree with those who called for the liquidation of the airline. He said despite its difficulties, the airline was viable and that it could overcome its problems.

Those in favour of liquidation argue that the airline?s fleet of aircraft and other assets had depleted while threats by its creditors over settlement of debts were becoming increasingly unbearable.