As a keen observer of Ghana’s economic and political landscape, I have often reflected on the cyclical nature of our national development. Too often, there is a disconnect between the political rhetoric of empowering local entrepreneurs and the stark realities they face on the ground.
Between 2017 and 2019, Ghana’s business environment went through a deeply turbulent phase. Under a financial sector clean-up, the previous administration revoked the licenses of nine universal banks—including prominent indigenous institutions like uniBank and Beige Bank—alongside more than 400 other financial entities. Regulators framed the move as necessary to protect depositors and reform weak systems. But the human and economic costs were staggering, wiping out businesses and thousands of jobs across the nation.
Against this backdrop, John Dramani Mahama, in his recent campaign, promised the business community a “reset.” He assured that indigenous enterprises affected under the previous government would be reviewed and that Ghanaian businesspeople would be protected and empowered. His reasoning was clear: no nation can achieve sustainable prosperity without nurturing its own local capital.
Fast forward to March 2026. The responsibility to safeguard Ghanaian businesses now lies with the current administration. Yet, the highly publicised standoff between the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and McDan Group raises serious concerns about the state’s commitment to this promise.
The controversy began after a May 2025 High Court ruling granted GACL full re-entry and possession of over 16 acres of prime airport land previously leased to McDan subsidiaries. The state agency cited outstanding ground rents, seeking to recover $26,296 and GH¢50,000 in legal costs. While accountability for state assets is non-negotiable, the escalation to a 1:00 a.m. forceful eviction of McDan Aviation on March 11, 2026, crosses the line from administrative enforcement into outright hostility.
McDan Aviation had signed a landmark license agreement in August 2022 to operate Ghana’s first private Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Terminal 1, investing millions to position Accra as a premier hub for private aviation. The recent delay in rent payments—triggered by global economic pressures—was quickly rectified. Moreover, the contract explicitly stipulates a 90-day notice period before eviction. Despite this, and despite a pending court injunction filed on March 10, 2026, GACL proceeded with a heavy-handed raid.
From a legal and business perspective, this approach is alarming. Recasting a brief administrative delay as a breach of contract and bypassing judicial processes signals a troubling shift from the rule of law to the rule of force. For local and international investors, it sends a chilling message: thriving indigenous enterprises may be treated as expendable.
The McDan Group, led by Dr Daniel McKorley, is far more than a business conglomerate. It is a pillar of Ghana’s economy. Through Electrochem Ghana Limited, the group has invested over $88 million in the Songor Lagoon salt project, producing 650,000 metric tonnes annually and employing over 3,000 Ghanaians, with plans to expand to 7,000 jobs.
McDan Aviation’s Terminal 1 FBO elevated Ghana’s status as a premium hub for private business aviation and foreign direct investment. Beyond economic contributions, the group invests heavily in social impact: the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge provides $100,000 in seed funding to young Ghanaians, while the McDan Foundation has supported hospitals, schools, water projects, sports infrastructure, and thousands of vulnerable Ghanaians.
Aggressive state action against such an enterprise has far-reaching consequences, affecting employees, beneficiaries, and the broader confidence in Ghana’s private sector. Rumours of political motivation are circulating, though it is unlikely that President Mahama, who has consistently pledged to protect local businesses, orchestrated this. Rather, it appears overzealous officials within GACL may have acted independently, prioritising bureaucratic authority over national economic interests.
Immediate action is required. GACL must halt extrajudicial enforcement and respect court injunctions. Mediation should be facilitated at the highest level to resolve financial obligations and operational disagreements transparently. Structured payment plans can be agreed upon without harming the business.
Ultimately, state agencies must shift from policing businesses to partnering with them. McDan Aviation should be viewed as a strategic partner in making Kotoka International Airport West Africa’s premier aviation hub, not as an adversary. Protecting indigenous success stories is essential for building a resilient, self-reliant economy.
Dr McKorley and the McDan Group have proven their value to Ghana. The government must step in, call its agencies to order, and demonstrate that the commitment to protect and empower local businesses is more than rhetoric—it is a blueprint for national prosperity.