GAC’s debt affecting operations of Meteo Agency

Ghana Airport Company’s "huge" debt to the Ghana Meteorological Agency is affecting operations of information disseminating body at the Kotoka International Airport, Director General of the Agency has disclosed.

Speaking in an interview after Minister of Communications Dr Edward Oman Boamah paid a courtesy call on the meteorological firm on Wednesday; Group Captain Stephen Yaokuma Komla noted that the Company owes his firm well over $2 million.

“By our computation, they [Ghana Airports Company] owe us well over $2 million taking effect from 2008,” he said.

“They have only paid us once and that even took a ministerial intervention. They have since refused to honour their obligations,” he added.

Reports suggest that a break in operation of the Agency may result in the downgrading of the Kotoka International Airport and likely to cause the close-down of other satellite airports in the country.

Dr Omane-Boamah, in his interaction with staff of the Agency, assured them that a two-prong approach has been adopted by management of the Ghana Airports Company to pay the debt.

“One is to work towards dealing with the indebtedness and the second has to do with an amendment to Act 682 which will make it clear that you are entitled to those services you provide,” he stated.

He also promised government's commitment in ensuring the Agency is well resourced while capacity-building programmes like provision of scholarships are put in place.