The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has rejected allegations by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA) of unfair labour practices, victimisation, coercion and intimidation of staff.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the GCAA also rejected claims that National Security personnel had been used to intimidate its staff.

The Authority said it referred GhATSEA’s most recent intended industrial action to the National Labour Commission (NLC).

According to the GCAA, the NLC, after hearing both parties on January 14, 2026, ruled that the proposed strike was illegal on three grounds.

It said GhATSEA was an association and not a certified trade union and therefore lacked the legal capacity under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to declare a strike or negotiate conditions of service.

The NLC also found the strike notice procedurally defective and said the proposed action was prohibited under Regulations 20(e) and (h) of L.I. 1833.

The GCAA said the NLC subsequently advised GhATSEA to “initiate their grievances as stipulated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement”, “call off the intended strike with immediate effect” and “properly” bring their concerns before management for “expeditious” resolution.

However, the Authority said GhATSEA’s leadership advised members to proceed with the intended industrial action despite the ruling.

It said members were instructed, among other things, not to attend to faults or touch equipment in the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) equipment rooms in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sunyani.

The GCAA said members were also instructed to inform others that the safety of the airspace could not be guaranteed.

The Authority said the situation raised safety and security concerns because of the critical role of CNS systems in aviation.

It explained that the presence of National Security personnel at its installations was therefore necessary to protect critical aviation infrastructure.

The GCAA said the measure was intended to prevent “an intended act of sabotage that could have endangered human lives and aircraft operations.”

It rejected any suggestion that the deployment amounted to intimidation or victimisation.

“This proactive and prudent measure cannot therefore be misinterpreted as an act of intimidation, harassment or victimisation of GhATSEA members.”

The GCAA further said management, led by the Director-General, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, and supported by National Security stationed at the Accra International Airport, should be commended for “foiling the attempted sabotage by the GhATSEA President” between 11:30 p.m. on January 14 and 4:30 a.m. on January 15, 2026.

The Authority maintained that the Director-General had not embarked on any campaign of coercion, intimidation or victimisation.

It said its actions had been guided by its statutory responsibility to ensure the safety, security and orderly operation of Ghana’s civil aviation system.

The GCAA said it respects employees’ legitimate rights to organise and raise workplace concerns through lawful and recognised mechanisms.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and resolving grievances through the appropriate channels.

However, it stressed that “the exercise of labour rights must not compromise critical aviation infrastructure or endanger the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft.”

The Authority added that disciplinary action against staff who violate applicable rules and regulations cannot be described as coercion, unfair labour practice, victimisation or intimidation.

The GCAA assured the travelling public that it would continue to take “all necessary and lawful measures to protect Ghana’s airspace and aviation infrastructure.”