Ghana’s air traffic safety engineers have suspended a planned nationwide strike set for Thursday after reaching an interim agreement with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) over long-running welfare disputes.

The Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA) said the decision followed “constructive engagement” with the GCAA’s governing board and management aimed at addressing grievances that have festered for more than a decade.

GhATSEA President Engr. David Annan Mensah said in a statement that following constructive engagement with the GCAA governing board and management, they have decided to suspend the planned strike action.

The engineers had earlier threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over poor working conditions, inequitable job placements, and unfair salary administration — issues the group says have been unresolved for more than 15 years.

GhATSEA expressed optimism that the talks would yield “a lasting resolution of all outstanding issues,” while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining safety and professionalism in the delivery of air navigation services.

Acting Director-General of the GCAA, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, and Acting Deputy Director-General (Technical), Theophilus Aryee Ago, who were accused by the association for “shockingly conveying a ‘Do your worst’ stance”, were commended for their role in brokering the truce.

The suspension of the strike averts what could have been major disruptions to flight operations across Ghana’s airspace, which relies heavily on the work of the engineers to ensure safety and communication systems function smoothly.

Story by: Isaac Clottey