Starbow Airlines (Accra) and Africa World Airlines (AW, Accra) have reacted angrily to a Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) directive compelling all operators to use either Aviance Cargo or Menzies Aviation for all their ground-handling requirements.

The two carriers currently conduct their own in-house ramp operations leading to claims the switch would affect tens of local jobs while driving up the cost of operations in an already competitive market.

The GACL has justified the move saying that the use of certified ramp agents would dramatically improve the safety standing of the country's airports - Accra Kotoka International Airport in particular.

The Airports Council International (ACI) intends to carry out a safety audit on Accra's airport later next month. The outcome will directly affect not only the airport's international safety rating, but that of Ghana as a whole.