Ghana Air Traffic Engineers Suspend Nationwide Strike Following Talks with GCAA
The Ghana Air Traffic Safety Engineers Association (GhATSEA) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, which was expected to take effect today, October 30, 2025, after reaching a temporary understanding with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The decision came after what the association described as “constructive engagement” with both the governing board and management of the GCAA.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, October 29, GhATSEA announced that the strike had been suspended indefinitely to allow further negotiations to continue in good faith. The association emphasised that while some of its key demands remain unresolved, it chose dialogue over disruption to ensure the safety and stability of Ghana’s aviation sector.
“Following constructive engagement with the GCAA governing board and management, we have decided to suspend the intended industrial action to make room for further discussions,” the statement read. The engineers assured the public that their decision was made in the national interest and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining Ghana’s reputation for safe and reliable airspace management.
The suspended strike had been called over several grievances, including poor working conditions, delayed welfare benefits, and what the engineers described as inadequate resources and logistical support necessary for maintaining the country’s air navigation systems. Sources within the association revealed that members had grown increasingly frustrated over long-standing issues such as salary disparities, lack of technical training opportunities, and outdated safety infrastructure at some regional airports.
Officials from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority have, however, assured both local and international travellers that all flight operations remain unaffected. In a separate statement, the GCAA said it is working closely with the engineers to resolve outstanding concerns and prevent any potential disruptions in the future.
“We wish to assure the travelling public and all stakeholders in the aviation sector that there will be no interruption to flight operations across the country. The GCAA is fully committed to resolving the issues raised by GhATSEA through peaceful and constructive dialogue,” the Authority stated.
The GCAA further expressed appreciation to the leadership of GhATSEA for demonstrating professionalism and restraint, adding that aviation safety remains their collective top priority. “We commend the engineers for placing national interest above industrial action and reaffirm our commitment to addressing their legitimate concerns within the framework of the law and institutional procedures,” it added.
Aviation analysts have praised the association’s decision to suspend the strike, describing it as a responsible move that averts potential chaos in Ghana’s aviation sector. Given that air traffic engineers play a critical role in maintaining communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, any strike action would have posed serious risks to both domestic and international air travel.
A former aviation policy advisor who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Air traffic safety engineers are the backbone of the aviation communication and navigation infrastructure. A nationwide strike would have had major implications for airline schedules, passenger safety, and even Ghana’s compliance with international aviation regulations.”
The Ghana Air Traffic Safety Engineers Association has long been advocating for improved conditions of service. Its members are responsible for ensuring that all technical systems supporting flight operations—such as radar, communication towers, and flight monitoring systems—are functional and up to international safety standards.
Earlier this month, GhATSEA had given the GCAA an ultimatum to address what it termed “systemic neglect and underinvestment” in safety infrastructure. The association claimed that many engineers were working under intense pressure with limited resources, putting both their safety and that of air travellers at risk.
According to union insiders, part of the discussions that led to the suspension of the strike included commitments by the GCAA to expedite the provision of critical technical tools, review conditions of service, and initiate a structured welfare improvement plan before the end of the year.
While the suspension brings temporary relief to stakeholders, the association has made it clear that it will not hesitate to resume industrial action if management fails to honour its promises. “This suspension is not a cancellation. We expect concrete actions, not just assurances. The lives of passengers and the integrity of Ghana’s airspace depend on the state’s seriousness in addressing our challenges,” a senior member of GhATSEA told InsightGhana.
The Ministry of Transport is expected to step in to ensure that the dispute is fully resolved. A source within the ministry indicated that officials are monitoring the situation closely and will facilitate further dialogue between both parties if necessary.
Ghana’s aviation industry, which has been recovering steadily after post-pandemic economic turbulence, could face severe operational setbacks if the issues between GhATSEA and the GCAA are not permanently resolved. The country’s airspace, known for its relatively strong safety record in West Africa, depends heavily on the efficiency and morale of its technical workforce.
As negotiations continue, passengers have been advised to proceed with their travel plans as scheduled, with airlines and airport authorities confirming that flight schedules remain unchanged. Industry observers, however, caution that a breakdown in talks could reignite industrial tensions and affect the smooth running of operations if timelines for implementation are not met.
For now, Ghana’s skies remain open, and flight operations continue uninterrupted, thanks to the engineers’ decision to put dialogue ahead of disruption. But the coming weeks will be a critical test of whether the GCAA can deliver on its commitments and prevent a future escalation that could ground the nation’s airspace.
