Ghana: Peace At Ghana International Airlines

While the rest of the country was taking it easy during the Easter holidays, a high level group of negotiators were holding a series of meetings to help get back the embattled Ghana International Airlines (GIA) where it should be: in the air.

ADM had reliable information that during the holiday period, the Chief of Staff whose office has oversight responsibility over Ghana's aviation industry held a number of meetings with industry and political leaders to help work out certain "compromises" that would clear the air about the intentions that led to the turbulence experienced two Friday's ago at the airline's offices in Accra.

Sources close to the negotiations told ADM that the meetings were held without any preconditions and though certain entrenched positions were tabled, these were put on hold for future boardroom resolutions.

In a joint press release agreed on Sunday, a copy of which ADM has received, the main players in the company have decided in the national interest to put certain confidence building measures in place while the various problem areas are looked into by shareholders and other interested parties.

The release said: "The shareholders of Ghana International Airlines acknowledge that certain misunderstandings and disagreements have resulted in the initiation of court action.

The matter is due for hearing of an interlocutory injunction on Friday 28th April 2006.

The parties however agree to go to the boardroom negotiating table and seek a negotiated settlement of the matter. It is the hope of the parties that they would be able to announce settlement of dispute by the scheduled court date.

Meanwhile parties agree not to take any prejudicial action." At the time of going to press, a source told ADM that the release was awaiting formal shareholder ratification.