STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF ON THE DISMISSAL OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF GHANA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES (GIA)

My attention has been drawn to press reports alleging that I have dismissed the Chief executive of the Ghana International Airlines (GIA).

There is absolutely no iota of truth in this allegation whatsoever.

As the minister responsible for the aviation sector, I requested the Board and Management to convene an extraordinary meeting to brief me and clarify issues on matter of alleged mismanagement.

I raised several issues relating to information that has been provided to me by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Brian Presbury, who was unable to give satisfactory answers to the questions raised.

Rather the CEO got agitated and insisted that it was the management?s prerogative to manage the airline without reference to the board of the company.

On a particular question regarding an expatriate staff that he has personally recruited, the CEO angrily stated ?I will not sit here and take this crap from you?.

After this statement from the CEO, I asked him to leave my office and I left him and the board in the conference room.

The Board which in the course of the meeting became aware for the first time of the several policy decisions by management on which it had not been consulted, later informed me that it had taken the decision to terminate the CEO?s appointment with immediate effect.

Signed: KWADWO O. MPIANI CHIEF OF STAFF AND MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFIARS.