Managers of Pathfinders International Aviation Services, which offers security to airlines at the Kotoka International Airport, have denied claims by local security companies suggesting that government is risking Ghana’s national security and business interests by allowing a Nigerian firm to provide security at its international Airport.
Some Ghanaian security companies providing services at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) are enraged over a decision to award a contract to a security firm they claim its owned by Nigerians, to provide security services to airlines at the Airport.
[contextly_sidebar id=”v8lfn6XYDlkYOYP98WmYwZihVyPFDdkT”]The local security firms argue that allowing a foreign company to protect Ghana’s International Airport could pose a threat to the business interests of Ghanaian companies and to national security.
They also alleged that Pathfinders International Aviation Services has been operating without the requisite license for the last five years.
But the Executive Director of Pathfinders International Aviation Services, Nana Kofi Gyamfi, a Ghanaian, rubbished the allegations in an interview on Citi Eyewitness News.
Mr Gyamfi explained that his company is registered as a Ghanaian firm and that he only has a Nigerian partner, adding that, all his staff are Ghanaians.
“The assertion that Pathfinders International Aviation Services Limited is a Nigerian company is totally untrue. Pathfinders is a Ghanaian incorporated company under the companies’ code, ACT 179.”
He pointed out that his company had received significant investments from Nigeria but indicated that the shareholder structure of his security firm should not worry Ghanaians as long as no foreigner is managing the security company.
“The company is being run, managed by Ghanaians. There is not a single person in the company that has any foreign origin,” Mr Gyamfi assured.
Mr. Gyamfi further questioned why the local companies would level such accusations against his company and accused them of being mischievous.
“I see no reason why we shouldn’t allow Ghanaians who are operating their own companies in Ghana just because there is one investor who is a foreign national. To posit that Pathfinder is a Nigerian company is a little bit under the belt,” he added.
Mr. Gyamfi insisted his security company was indeed a Ghanaian firm and said that people’s focus should only be about their ability to help Ghanaians and fulfill their mandatory obligations.
“The fact still remains, is the company a registered Ghanaian company? Yes. Is the company able to pay its statutory obligations ? Yes,” he said.
According to him, his firm was selected in a competitive bidding process following a request made by the airlines.
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By Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana