PHOTO:The faces of the three appointees announced on December 10, 2024.
Says Move defied Chief of Staff’s No-Hiring Order
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is facing mounting pressure over its appointment of three directors just days after the 7 December 2024 general election — an action civil society group Alliance for Justice and Equality (AFJE) says flies in the face of a clear no-hiring directive from the Chief of Staff.
In a petition to President John Mahama, co-signed by AFJE Executive Director Haruma Mahama and Secretary Dr. Eric Derrick Antwi, the group is demanding the immediate revocation of the appointments of Mr. Benjamin Eshun as Director of General Services, Mr. Thomas A. Wilson as Director of Corporate Planning, and Mr. Akuamoah Boateng as Director of Air Traffic Services — all named in a letter dated 10 December 2024.
AFJE argues that the appointments not only defied the directive against post-election recruitment but were made with partisan intent. According to the petition, the appointees are known affiliates of the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and had previously failed recruitment interviews conducted by the Public Services Commission in December 2023.
“Reversals of last-minute appointments have taken place in several institutions, but the radar clearly skipped the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority,” the group lamented, accusing the Charles Kraikue-led administration of railroading the process “by hook or by crook” to install loyalists in sensitive roles.
AFJE insists the process was politically manipulated and bypassed meritocratic standards. The petition alleges a blatant disregard for due process, with individuals who performed poorly in standard recruitment assessments suddenly landing strategic positions post-election.
The group has urged the President to take swift action: launch a full investigation into the appointments, summon the Acting Director-General for a full account, audit recent major procurements, and verify the authenticity of the new directors’ academic and professional credentials.
“If the Acting Director-General has failed to alert the Chief of Staff on these appointments, that is troubling,” the petition added, hinting at a potential cover-up or deliberate evasion of accountability.
The move, according to AFJE, threatens to erode trust in the GCAA — a critical technical agency at the heart of Ghana’s aviation infrastructure. With the country eyeing regional leadership in air safety and control, the group says undermining institutional integrity for political gain could have long-term consequences.
The petition has been received at the presidency and is said to be under review. AFJE, however, insists its concern is not political but a call to safeguard national interest and uphold public trust.
Failure to act, they warn, could embolden other state institutions to flout presidential directives with impunity. Meanwhile, remnants of the previous administration remain deeply embedded in strategic posts — including figures like Ben Ansah at the National Signal Bureau (NSB), reportedly keeping tabs on both government insiders and outsiders.
“There can be no meaningful reset without clearing out the old settings,” the group cautioned, suggesting that true reform demands the removal of politically entrenched operatives from critical national institutions.
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