Citizen petitions President Mahama to suspend Airport CEO pending OSP investigations

⁹A formal petition has been submitted to the President of the Republic, calling for the immediate stepping aside of Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), pending investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into a controversial revenue audit contract between GACL and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

The petition, written by Gyesi Boako, a Ghanaian citizen and marketing expert, was dated Friday, August 1, 2025, and addressed to the President at the Jubilee House. It raises serious concerns about possible corruption and procurement breaches tied to the contract, which was reportedly signed by Mrs. Opare on behalf of the airport authority.

“I, Gyesi Boako, respectfully petition for the immediate stepping aside of Mrs. Yvonne Nana Opare, Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited, from office pending the ongoing investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into the SML revenue audit contract,” portions of the petition states.

The OSP is currently probing a number of public sector contracts awarded to SML, a private auditing and monitoring firm that has, in recent months, come under public scrutiny following revelations about the value and procurement processes behind its agreements with state institutions.

*Integrity of investigations*

Mr. Boako insists that the integrity of the investigation must be protected, and that Mrs. Opare’s continued stay in office could risk interference or conflict of interest. “In the interest of transparency, good governance and accountability in the management of public institutions like airports, it is crucial to ensure that the investigation is not hindered or influenced in any way,” he emphasized.

While acknowledging that Mrs. Opare is presumed innocent under the Constitution, the petitioner argues that temporarily vacating her position would reflect good faith. “Stepping aside would demonstrate a commitment to transparency and cooperation with the investigating authorities,” Boako wrote.

The petition outlines several reasons supporting this request, including the need to ensure an uninterrupted and thorough investigation, prevent potential conflicts of interest, demonstrate a commitment to accountability, and maintain public trust in the airport’s leadership and the OSP’s process.

“If this request is granted, it would demonstrate a commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public institutions,” Boako added, urging the President to act swiftly on what he described as a “critical issue.”