Daniel McKorley (McDan), a good friend of President Akufo Addo’s controversial cousin and kitchen cabinet advisor, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has bought a private jet to start a commercial operation.
Mr. McDan is reportedly a financier of the Akufo Addo political campaign and a friend of “Gabby”. This influence has earned him an important position on the board of the Ghana Trade Fair Company; several controversially sole-sourced contracts, as well as unfettered access to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The new aircraft reportedly costing over US$30 million is the latest windfall to the meteorically rising McDan Empire.
The private jet, a Bombardier Challenger 604 with serial number 5319 is expected to be used for transporting high net worth individuals from the KIA’s Terminal 1 (T1) that McDan has reportedly monopolised.
It is unclear where the Aircraft was purchased from or registered. It is also unclear if McDan has the mandatory Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
McDan Aviation operates a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) KIA and had leased most parts of the airport from the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL).
McDan’s FBO allows for some ground handling services at T1, including general aviation operations, aircraft service operations, aircraft airframe and engine repairs (maintenance) and aircraft rentals.
The facility leased out to McDan boasts of a VIP lounge, a crew lounge and flight planning office, as well as conference facilities and a hangar.
Passengers and crew can complete customs and immigration procedures in the same building, which also features a restaurant that can provide in-flight catering.