Ghana narrowly escaped an aviation disaster on Friday after an Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying 213 Ghana Army personnel was denied landing clearance at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). The troops were returning from a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission, GHANBATT 91.
According to reports, the aircraft circled above Accra for nearly an hour due to ongoing runway works, with fuel running critically low. Eventually, the flight was diverted to Lomé, Togo, where it landed safely.
The Ghana Army personnel on board have since petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, of “reckless” handling of the situation. The petition highlights concerns over the safety of military personnel and questions the decision-making process that led to the refusal of landing clearance.
The Presidency has confirmed receipt of the petition, assuring the soldiers and the public that the matter is being reviewed. Aviation and security analysts have since called for a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing that the lives of both civilians and military officers must remain the top priority in aviation operations.
The incident has sparked debate among Ghanaians about airport management, safety protocols, and coordination between the military and civil aviation authorities.
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