Storming of GIA office explained

At a press briefing at the Castle, Osu, yesterday, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, the Press Secretary to the President, explained that the posting of security personnel at the Ghana International Airline (GIA) was not strange but the normal reaction of any government, more so when it had a stake in the business.

The government?s involvement in providing security at the offices of the GIA, following the recent dismissal of its chief executive officer, was meant to prevent any possibility of anyone tampering with vital documents and facilities of the airline.

He said the GIA was one of the several entities in the country in which the government had vital interest and the overriding objective of the government was to revive the national carrier through state-private sector partnership.

Mr Agyepong said discussions were under way to resolve the thorny issues which precipitated government?s intervention in the operations of the airline.

He rejected any suggestion that the government invested as much as $20 million in the GIA without the approval of Parliament.

Commenting on the astronomical increases in crude oil prices on the world market, Mr Agyepong said the phenomenon was worrying to all developing countries.

He expressed the hope that Ghanaians would understand and bear with the government if it became necessary to adjust the prices of fuel.

Mr Agyepong said at a recent meeting between President J.A. Kufuor and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Nigeria agreed to increase its oil supply to Ghana from 30,000 metric tonnes to 50,000 metric tonnes.

He conveyed the condolences of the President to the families of those who lost their lives during the recent boat disaster on the Volta Lake at Abotoase in the Volta Region.

He said the President was gratified that a firm date had been given for the signing of the compact for Ghana to access the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).