The youth of James Town hit the streets yesterday in a fiery protest against the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), throwing their weight behind McDan Aviation in its ongoing contractual battle with the state.
Brandishing placards—some praising McDan Group Chairman Dr. Daniel McKorley, others bearing vitriolic messages directed at the government—the protesters marched through the historic Ga community before converging on a press conference venue where the Coalition of GaDangme Pressure Groups delivered a strong-worded statement on the matter.
At the heart of the agitation is the termination of McDan Aviation’s license to operate Ghana’s first private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) terminal at Kotoka International Airport—a facility the company reportedly built at a cost of several million dollars.
Speaking to journalists, R. Nii Adu Ardey, a leading member of the Coalition, described the situation as a test case for how Ghana treats its own successful entrepreneurs.
“This matter goes beyond a simple contractual disagreement. It raises critical national questions about investor confidence, fairness, and the protection of indigenous enterprise,” Ardey stated.
According to the Coalition, McDan Aviation stepped in to redevelop the old Terminal 3 facility after it had been abandoned and left to deteriorate following the relocation of airport operations. The company transformed the space into a private jet terminal designed to attract international business aviation traffic and position Ghana as a regional hub for executive travel.
“The investment runs into several millions of dollars. Building a private jet terminal is not a small undertaking. Instead of undermining such efforts, national stakeholders should explore ways to strengthen and expand them,” Ardey added.
The Coalition acknowledged that while there was a delay in the company’s annual rent payment in 2025, reports indicate the arrears have since been cleared. Yet, GACL proceeded with the termination of the license agreement.
Particularly galling to the protesters were reports that equipment belonging to McDan Aviation was removed from the premises shortly after a court injunction had allegedly been served on the airport authority.
“If Ghanaian investors begin to feel unsafe or vulnerable in their own country, the consequences for national development could be significant. Investors who commit millions of dollars to strategic sectors such as aviation must be assured that their investments will be treated fairly and protected under the rule of law,” Ardey warned.
The Coalition pointed to a troubling perception among sections of the public that in Ghana, success is celebrated only until it grows too large.
“When that success reaches a certain level, the same individuals once praised appear to face increasing institutional resistance. Whether this perception is accurate or not, it is a matter that requires reflection,” he said.
Drawing on local wisdom, Ardey invoked the popular saying: “Ghanafuo mpɛ adepa, ɛyɛ asɛm oo”—roughly translated as “Ghanaians, if you don’t appreciate a good thing, it becomes a problem.”
The protesters, largely made up of youth from McKorley’s own community, made no secret of their loyalty to the businessman. Their placards sent a clear message of solidarity, even as some carried inscriptions attacking the government over its handling of the matter.
The Coalition called on national authorities to ensure the dispute is handled with fairness, transparency, and respect for due process. It also urged leadership at the highest level of government to take steps that will reassure Ghanaian investors that their contributions to national development will be protected.
“Today it may be McDan Aviation. Tomorrow it could be another Ghanaian entrepreneur who has dared to invest heavily in the future of this country,” Ardey cautioned.
The statement, signed by Ardey on behalf of the Coalition, called for calm, fairness, and justice, insisting that protecting indigenous investment is not about one company but about safeguarding the confidence of every Ghanaian willing to invest in building the nation.
GACL is yet to officially respond to the specific allegations regarding the court injunction, and the matter remains sub judice as legal proceedings continue.
