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.

● Mr. Daniel McKorley
McDan Aviation CEO

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

Features

The Palestinian martyr-Little Hind Rajab

THE wickedness of some people in our world is gradually getting out of bounds. From local arena to international arena, reports of wicked acts that defies logic, is on the rise.

Russia has attacked Ukraine and as a result, the economies of many countries have been negatively impacted. Residential apartments which have no military purpose. Just sheer wickedness and cruelty.

After this came the Brutal attack on Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces. Hospitals were bombed, buildings were razed down and civilians were deliberately targeted which is a war crime according to the Geneva Convention.

The IDF will release pamphlets in the skies informing them to move to certain specified areas. They move there with their families only to be bombed again without warning.

It was one of such movement from one place to another that, the family of a 5 year Palestinian girl called Hind Rajab and her family, travelling in a vehicle, were shot at by an IDF Tank.

This wounded girl managed to call emergency services to come and save them.

The sad thing is that while this brave little girl kept talking to the emergency response person on the phone, telling them that they should come quickly and that she was afraid.

She further told the response team on phone that any time she tries to speak, blood comes into her mouth and it soils her dress and she dies not want her mum to scold her so they should come quickly.

The response team rushed as usual to her location but they were also shot and killed, the driver and his assistant, in a vehicle clearly marked as an ambulance. Ten days later when they got to her location, Hind Rajab and her family were dead and their vehicle was riddled with 335 bullets.

The wickedness with which the IDF waged the war against Hamas, the administrative authority in Gaza, was unbelievable, given the damage to civilians both collateral and in most cases deliberate.

There are reports of some Doctors from the US and other countries, who have described how children they attended to, who were brought in dead, had evidence of sniper bullets.

A report by one of the media platforms, indicated that one of the IDF snipers who died recently, had bragged about shooting children in the abdomen so they will suffer before dying.

What baffles me in all these atrocities, is why Jews who have been saved by a collective action of the world, from Hitler and his Nazis from destruction, infamously known as the Holocaust, is now visiting mayhem on others, namely the Palestinians.

One begins to wonder if Hitler was right after all and that he saw something that the rest of the world did not notice about the Jews. I must admit that it is not all Jews that are racist. It is the Zionist who are the problem with their Talmud which teaches that Jesus is burning in hot feaces.

They deliberately teach their children to hate other people who are not Jews especially the Palestinians. They do not consider the Palestinians as humans and therefore they believe they have the God given right to treat them anyway anyhow.

Hind Rajab’s death has pricked the conscience of the world and countries which used to blindly support Israel, are now putting pressure on them to observe a ceasefire as part of a peace negotiation.

Let the world through the UN show that it does not support barbarism and that the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel, must come to an end.

NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’

By Laud Kissi-Mensah

Features

Angioplasty: A comprehensive overview of the procedure and its applications

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter, a small tube, into the affected artery, followed by the inflation of a balloon to widen the artery. In some cases, a stent, a small mesh tube, may be placed to keep the artery open.

Indications for Angioplasty

Angioplasty is often used to treat conditions such as:

1. Coronary artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.

2. Peripheral artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs or arms.

3. Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to narrowing or blockage.

The Angioplasty Procedure

The angioplasty procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: The patient is given local anesthesia and may be sedated to help them relax.

2. Insertion of the catheter: A small incision is made in the skin, and a catheter is inserted into the affected artery.

3. Guidance: The catheter is guided to the affected area using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy or angiography.

4. Inflation of the balloon: The balloon on the catheter is inflated to widen the artery.

5. Stent placement: A stent may be placed to keep the artery open.

6. Removal of the catheter: The catheter is removed, and the incision site is closed.

Benefits of Angioplasty

Angioplasty offers several benefits, including:

1. Improved blood flow: Angioplasty can help improve blood flow to the affected area, reducing symptoms such as chest pain or leg pain.

2. Minimally invasive: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that it requires only a small incision and can reduce recovery time.

3. Reduced risk of complications: Angioplasty can reduce the risk of complications associated with more invasive surgical procedures.

Potential Risks and Complications

While angioplasty is generally a safe procedure, there are potential risks and complications, including:

1. Bleeding or hematoma: Bleeding or bruising at the incision site.

2. Artery damage: Damage to the artery during the procedure.

3. Restenosis: Narrowing or blockage of the artery again after the procedure.

Conclusion

Angioplasty is a highly effective procedure for treating narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. While it carries some risks and complications, the benefits of improved blood flow and reduced symptoms make it a valuable treatment option for many patients.

References:

1. American Heart Association. (2020). Angioplasty and Stenting.

2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2020). Angioplasty and Stent Placement.

3. Mayo Clinic. (2020). Angioplasty: What You Need to Know.

4. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (2019). Angioplasty and Stenting in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of angioplasty, including its indications, procedure, benefits, and potential risks and complications.

By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson

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