Omanghana
The Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GHATSEA) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in an escalating labor dispute between its members and the management of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
In an open letter addressed to the President, the association accused GCAA management of unfair labor practices, intimidation and the alleged victimization of its leadership, warning that deteriorating relations between workers and management could undermine staff morale and affect productivity within Ghana’s critical aviation safety infrastructure.
GHATSEA is therefore seeking presidential intervention and an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dispute, which involves disagreements over working conditions, disciplinary actions, promotions and human resource management.
GHATSEA Accuses GCAA Management of Intimidation
At the center of the association’s concerns is the leadership of GCAA Director-General Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur.
GHATSEA alleged that rather than pursuing sustained dialogue to resolve longstanding disagreements, management has adopted measures that have created fear and mistrust among employees.
The association claims that attempts by workers to raise concerns about their conditions of service and workplace administration have increasingly resulted in disciplinary action and intimidation.
GHATSEA maintains that constructive engagement between management and employees is particularly important in the aviation industry because of the safety-sensitive nature of the work performed by technical personnel.
Association President’s Interdiction Becomes Major Flashpoint
One of the most contentious issues raised in the petition is the continued interdiction of GHATSEA President Engr. David Annan Mensah.
According to the association, Mensah has remained interdicted since March 3, 2026.
GHATSEA described the action against its president as unjust and disproportionate, arguing that it was connected to his advocacy on workplace grievances and previous industrial actions.
The association wants the circumstances surrounding the interdiction independently reviewed and appropriate steps taken to ensure that workers are not punished merely for participating in legitimate labor advocacy.
GCAA management, however, disputes the characterization of its disciplinary measures as victimization, insisting that employees remain subject to established operational and workplace procedures.
GHATSEA Raises Concerns Over National Security Presence
The association also made serious allegations concerning the involvement of security personnel in the labor dispute.
GHATSEA claimed that National Security operatives accompanied the GCAA Director-General during a late-night visit to aviation installations at approximately 11:30 p.m.
According to the association, the presence of the security officers intimidated technical personnel who were on duty at the time.
GHATSEA said concerns surrounding the incident had previously been communicated to the Office of the President in February 2026, but it had yet to receive a response.
The association is consequently asking the Presidency to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported deployment and determine whether the presence of security personnel was justified.
GCAA Says Security Measures Were Necessary
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has rejected suggestions that security personnel were deployed to intimidate workers.
Management maintains that enhanced security measures were necessary to protect strategically important Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure used to support the safe operation of Ghana’s airspace.
According to the authority, aviation installations in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sunyani required protection amid concerns about possible interference or sabotage.
GCAA argues that CNS equipment forms part of Ghana’s critical national infrastructure and that any disruption could have serious implications for air traffic management and aviation safety.
The authority therefore insists that labor disagreements must be handled in a manner that does not expose essential aviation infrastructure or Ghana’s airspace operations to unnecessary risk.
National Labor Commission Ruling Cited
GCAA management has also pointed to a National Labor Commission (NLC) ruling dated January 14, 2026, in defending its handling of the dispute.
According to the authority, the NLC determined that a previous strike notice issued by GHATSEA was unlawful.
GCAA’s position is that GHATSEA did not possess the certified trade union status required under Ghana’s Labor Act, 2003 (Act 651) to independently declare industrial action or negotiate employment conditions outside the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Management has consequently rejected accusations that enforcement of internal disciplinary procedures amounts to union suppression.
It maintains that personnel who breach established operational rules or workplace codes can be subjected to disciplinary proceedings provided the appropriate procedures are followed.
Salary, Promotions and Job Placements Among Longstanding Disputes
Beyond the immediate controversy, GHATSEA says tensions between technical employees and management are rooted in grievances that have remained unresolved for years.
These include concerns surrounding salary administration, employee placement, promotion structures and broader human resource practices.
The association has also raised questions about the implementation of recommendations contained in what it refers to as the “Dr. Imoro Report,” which it says was intended to address some of the structural employment concerns affecting personnel.
GHATSEA maintains that some of the outstanding issues stretch back more than a decade and believes repeated delays in resolving them have contributed to deteriorating relations between workers and management.
GHATSEA Seeks Mahama’s Intervention
The association is now asking President Mahama to facilitate a lasting settlement.
Among its demands is an independent investigation into the allegations raised against GCAA management, including the treatment of association executives and the circumstances surrounding the involvement of security personnel.
GHATSEA also wants the government to safeguard workers’ constitutional and labor rights while establishing a credible mechanism for resolving the longstanding disputes over salaries, promotions and workplace administration.
The association warned that prolonged tension within a safety-critical institution could damage employee morale and productivity.
GCAA, meanwhile, maintains that its actions are aimed at enforcing workplace discipline and protecting critical aviation infrastructure rather than suppressing legitimate employee concerns.
The dispute now places renewed attention on the need to balance workers’ rights, management authority and national aviation safety, with GHATSEA hoping presidential intervention can bring both sides back to the negotiating table and prevent any disruption to operations within Ghana’s flight information region.
Source: Omanghana
