Ghana Meteorological Agency Demands GH¢50 Million Debt Settlement from Civil Aviation Authority

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) is facing a severe financial crisis as the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has failed to remit over GH¢50 million in statutory payments. This debt, which persists despite a formal agreement reached in March 2026, is significantly hampering GMet’s ability to provide critical weather services. According to GMet officials, the non-payment has created an unsustainable financial environment that threatens the agency's operational stability and its capacity to meet international meteorological standards.

Under the amended Ghana Meteorological Agency Act of 2019, the GCAA is mandated to remit 10% of fees collected from en-route, overflight, and landing services to GMet. Additionally, the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is required to pay 5% of airport passenger taxes. While GACL reportedly began making its required payments in 2023, GMet Director-General Dr. Eric Asuman has raised concerns that the GCAA remains non-compliant. The lack of these funds is described as a major blow to GMet’s ability to fund essential operations and national development initiatives.

A central hurdle in resolving the dispute is GMet’s inability to access the GCAA’s flight database. Without independent verification of flight data, GMet is forced to rely on the GCAA’s self-reporting, making it impossible to confirm the accuracy of the fees owed. Dr. Asuman has called for the urgent establishment of a transparent, independent verification mechanism to track aviation activity. The situation has already escalated to Parliament’s Select Committee, as GMet seeks legislative support to compel the GCAA to honor its financial obligations.

The financial strain on GMet comes at a time when accurate weather forecasting is increasingly vital for national safety, aviation security, and economic planning. The agency warns that continued non-payment threatens the sustainability of Ghana's meteorological infrastructure. Stakeholders and government observers are now looking toward the Ministry of Transport and Parliament to broker a final resolution that ensures both financial transparency and the long-term viability of the nation’s weather services.