Features
GACL’s letter to McDan: Causing ‘confusion’?
The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is reported to have ‘shut down’ the operations of the McDan private jet terminal at the Kotoka International Airport.
This was barely five days after McDan Aviation Company opened the private jet terminal at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra, on January 28, 2022.
McDan Aviation CEO
Managing Director of GACL
McDan Aviation is reported to have defied the orders of GACL to halt the inauguration of the new private jet terminal on January 28, 2022.
Reportedly, the Chief Executive Officer of McDan Group of Companies, Mr Daniel McKorley, has confirmed the shutdown of operations of his private jet terminal, assuring that McDan Aviation will ‘engage’ GACL in the ensuing impasse.
The GACL accuses McDan of inaugurating his private jet terminal without following its orders of postponement.
GACL’s letter to McDan Aviation, signed by its Managing Director, Mr Yaw Kwakwa, ordered postponement of the inauguration of the private jet terminal because the arrangements made for the inauguration had not been approved by GACL , insisting that the event posed some safety and security concerns at the Kotoka International Airport.
GACL says, it made efforts to meet McDan Aviation so as to discuss matters regarding the opening of the private jet terminal but no official from McDan Aviation turned up for the proposed meetings.
GACL’s letter to McDan Aviation said: “One major example relates to your commencement of construction of the private jet terminal without a plan of Construction Operation approval from GACL.”
The letter further said: “We only became aware of your construction activities during our routine security patrols, and we had to ask you to stop and submit a Plan of Construction Operation for review and approval before construction continued.”
GACL’s letter again revealed that: “McDan Aviation through its actions disregarded the norms of doing business in the aviation sector, which requires strict adherence to safety and security concerns.”
The letter to McDan Aviation was copied to the Transport Minister, the Minister of National Security, the National Security Coordinator and the Director, Aviation Security.
The letter said:”GACL is unable to support the inaugural event until we iron out all the necessary issues and you prove to us that you fully understand and appreciate how things are supposed to be done in the aviation sector, in the interest of safety and security.”
A security analyst after examining GACL’s letter to McDan, however, asks: “So does it imply that the GACL has no technology to detect any ‘illicit’ construction activity which falls within the boundaries of the Kotoka International Airport?
“And that until ‘routine security patrols’ are undertaken by the Aviation Security, even terrorists or mercenaries can construct ‘properties’, including tunnels within the boundaries of the Kotoka International Airport? In this age of computer technology and digitisation?”
The security analyst adds:”The GACL’s letter signed by its Managing Director and addressed to McDan Aviation, exposes a serious security threat at the Kotoka International Airport,” stressing that, “this security threat must be urgently addressed.”
A retired public servant also examines GACL’s letter to McDan and queries: “So, in effect, McDan defied the orders of GACL and continued the construction of the private jet terminal until the completion and inauguration of the project?
“And like what the District Assemblies incompetently do; the GACL authorities were also looking on ‘sheepishly’ until the ‘illegal project’ was executed, completed and launched ?
“What is the mandate of GACL in the development of airports in the country?
“Is the current management of GACL too weak to have sanctioned McDan Aviation right from the outset of the project or the management was just afraid of the company?
“May I also ask: Were some politicians hiding behind McDan to do what he did ?”
McKweku Ayoo, a level 400 Business Student of the University of Cape Coast has also expressed surprise about GACL’s letter to McDan.
He quiries: “Did GACL management seek advice from its Board of Directors when McDan flouted its orders to ‘stop work’ and continued his construction activities at the Kotoka International Airport?
“If the GACL management sought advice from its Board of Directors, what was the nature of the advice?
“To allow McDan to complete and inaugurate the private jet terminal, before ‘crying out’ to the nation?
“What was also the principle of ‘state-corporate’ collaboration among key stakeholders, including Ministry of Transport, Ministry of National Security and State-Interest Governance Authority?
“Did the key stakeholders just stand-by , observing the ‘fight’ or ‘quarrel’ between GACL and McDan Aviation, without any ‘productive’ intervention ? And in whose interest? “
Ataa-Nii, a well-educated Accra taxi-driver also says:”McDan and his company must also talk so that we hear their side of the whole story.
“They must also issue a press release to the public, otherwise, from the tone of the GACL’s letter, the impression is created that McDan and his company are bullies, arrogant and disrespectful to the laws of the Republic of Ghana.”
Readers, much as this column shares the sentiments expressed by Ataa-Nii, we equally urge the Government to quickly intervene to resolve the impasse between GACL and McDan , since the project ‘in dispute’ can support Ghana in so many ways ; if it is properly guided ‘to thread’ the ‘appropriate channels’ to take-off.
Contact email/ WhatsApp of author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
BY G. FRANK ASAMAH
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
