McDan Aviation has been crowned Aviation Company of the Year at the 2025 Ghana-West Africa Business Excellence Awards, a prestigious ceremony held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra. This accolade marks a significant milestone for the company, recognizing its leadership, innovation, and outstanding contributions to the aviation industry in Ghana and the broader West African sub-region.

Founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of the McDan Group, McDan Aviation has rapidly established itself as a trailblazer in private aviation. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including private air charter, cargo handling, Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services, medevac flights, and bespoke travel solutions. Its commitment to safety, efficiency, and luxury has made it a preferred choice for business executives, VIP travelers, emergency medical teams, and cargo operators alike.

The award reflects McDan Aviation’s continued investment in aviation infrastructure, personnel training, and customer-centric service delivery. These efforts have not only elevated industry standards but also positioned Ghana as a growing hub for regional air transport. The company’s modern facilities and highly trained workforce underscore its dedication to delivering world-class service.

Organized by KN Communications Group, the Ghana-West Africa Business Excellence Awards celebrate businesses and individuals demonstrating excellence in leadership, performance, and innovation across various sectors. McDan Aviation’s recognition at this year’s event reinforces its role as a pacesetter in the aviation landscape and a key player in Ghana’s economic development.

Looking ahead, McDan Aviation has pledged to deepen its commitment to national progress through strategic investments in aviation and logistics. Its vision aligns with Ghana’s aspirations to become a central player in West African air travel and trade. This award is not just a win for McDan—it’s a win for Ghanaian enterprise.

Ghanaian business magnate Dr Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, has reaffirmed his commitment to strategic investments around Kotoka International Airport despite a recent court decision awarding the disputed land to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).

On May 6, the High Court in Accra ruled in favour of GACL, granting the state agency full possession of more than 16 acres of prime airport land.

The property, situated near the Kotoka International Airport, had been under the control of McDan Shipping Company and Airport Logistics Limited, subsidiaries of the McDan Group.

GACL initiated legal action, citing violations of lease agreements and unpaid ground rent amounting to $26,296. The court upheld the claims and authorized GACL to repossess the land.

In response, the McDan Group has filed for a stay of execution and announced plans to appeal the ruling.

The company insists it has acted responsibly and in good faith throughout its nearly two-decade occupancy of the land.

According to the group, significant investments have been made to secure and improve the area, including the construction of warehouses and the provision of private security patrols for over 12 years to deter encroachment.

These efforts, McDan argues, reflect a long-term vision to develop the space into a logistics and trade hub.

“That the Defendants/Respondents/Respondents are advised and verily believe same to be true that the Honourable Court was duty bound to determine whether there was a legal basis for a relief against forfeiture as provided under Section 58 of the Land Act 2020, Act 1036.

“That there exist special circumstances warranting the grant of a stay of execution of the Judgment of the Honourable Court.

“That the Honourable Court granted an order for recovery of possession, and if the Judgment is not stayed irreparable damage will be caused to the Defendants/Appellants/Applicants as their appeal would be rendered nugatory.

“That the Defendants/Appellants/Applicants have developed the disputed land and a refusal of the instant application would mean losing all their investments and property on the lands in dispute,” part of the court papers said.

McDan maintains that his engagement with traditional allodial landowners from La, Teshie, and Nungua was intended to foster trust and inclusion.

According to him, he chose to work directly with these communities rather than seek a title through the Lands Commission, a move he says was guided by cultural respect and a community-first approach.

Supporters of the McDan Group believe the legal decision risks undermining years of developmental work and community support.

They argue that McDan’s presence in the area has generated employment and enhanced economic activity.

The company has emphasized that it will exhaust all legal avenues to protect its investments and uphold its legacy as a pioneer in transforming the airport enclave.

In a remarkable display of industry expertise, innovation and exceptional leadership, Dr. Daniel McKorley, the visionary founder and CEO of McDan Group, has been awarded the prestigious title of “Aviacargo Personality of the Year for West Africa 2023” at the esteemed CHINET 24 Aviation & Cargo Conference in Lagos, Nigeria.

This well-deserved recognition further solidifies Dr. McKorley’s position as a driving force in the aviation and cargo sector, not just in Ghana but across the entire West African region.

Background of Dr. Daniel McKorley

Dr. Daniel McKorley’s journey to becoming a prominent figure in the aviation and cargo industry began with his founding of the McDan Group in 1999.

Starting as a small freight forwarding company, the McDan Group has since grown into a conglomerate with diverse interests in logistics, shipping, aviation, and banking.

Dr. McKorley’s unwavering dedication to excellence and his vision to transform the logistics landscape in West Africa have been instrumental in the company’s success.

Aviacargo Personality of the Year for West Africa 2023

The Aviacargo Personality of the Year award is a highly respected accolade presented to individuals who have significantly impacted the aviation and cargo industry in West Africa.

The selection process involves rigorous evaluation by a panel of industry experts, who assess various aspects of the nominees’ contributions, such as leadership, innovation, and overall impact on the sector.

Dr. Daniel McKorley’s achievements in the aviation and cargo sector, particularly his strategic initiatives to expand and modernize the McDan Aviation division, made him a standout candidate for this prestigious award.

McDan Aviation

McDan Aviation is a subsidiary of the McDan Group that offers domestic and Regional passenger and cargo services. Under Dr. McKorley’s leadership, McDan Aviation has undergone significant expansion and modernization efforts, enhancing its operational efficiency and service delivery.

The Executive Chairman of the McDan Group of Companies, Dr Daniel McKorley, is concerned about the implementation of the incumbent government’s flagship programme, One District One Factory (1D1F). According to him, although it is a brilliant initiative, the government should have let the private sector take full charge of it to ensure its sustainability and success. “One District One Factory (1D1F) is one of the brilliant ideas that this government came up with, but the implementation was wrong and I questioned it,” he said on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday. He highlighted the crucial role that industry plays in any economy, noting that it is a sector that generates substantial employment opportunities. According to Dr McKorley, for 1D1F to truly succeed, it must be treated as a business venture, driven by private sector expertise and entrepreneurship. “If you look at our economy, what we need is industries. Industry is a whole chain that creates lots of jobs,” he said, emphasizing the importance of industrial development. Dr McKorley suggested that the government should establish an Advisory Board composed of seasoned entrepreneurs who can provide valuable guidance on the viability of proposed projects under the policy. This board, he believes, could offer crucial advice to prevent failures and ensure the success of the initiative. “With the 1D1F, it is supposed to be left for the private sector, and an Advisory Board of people who have made it can advise and say ‘If you go here, you will fail,’” he proposed. He further argued that private sector involvement is essential for protecting and sustaining the businesses created under the 1D1F policy. Dr McKorley stressed that entrepreneurs with a vested interest in the industry would be more motivated to ensure the long-term success of these factories. “1D1F needs to be run as a business. So put it in the hands of the private sector and they would protect the business.” The One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative was launched by President Akufo-Addo to change the nature of Ghana’s economy from one which is dependent on the import and export of raw materials to one focused on manufacturing, value addition and export of processed goods. The policy was also to support the private sector to establish at least one industrial enterprise in each of the administrative districts of the country. The concept of the One District One Factory (1D1F), among other initiatives of the government, is designed to transform the industrial landscape of the country and build the capacities of local enterprises to produce quality products and services for both domestic and foreign markets. However, the real value of the policy’s implementation has not been felt so far by industry and the citizenry.