Ghana’s plan to establish a national airline is progressing, with the task force overseeing the project nearing completion of its work, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has disclosed.
The proposed carrier is expected to strengthen Ghana’s participation in the aviation industry, improve regional connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods across the continent.
Speaking at the launch of Uganda Airlines’ Accra–Entebbe service, Mr Nikpe said the government believes a national carrier is necessary to complement investments in airport infrastructure and enable Ghana to participate more actively in the aviation sector.
He recalled that Ghana previously operated Ghana Airways, which was liquidated several years ago, adding that the government is working towards establishing a new national airline.
“All of us are aware that Ghana used to have Ghana Airways, which got liquidated some years back. His Excellency the President is thinking that we cannot have beautiful airports and connect our airports to other airports without participating in that industry of aviation or flying people,” he said.
Mr Nikpe said the task force was close to completing its work, expressing optimism that Ghana would soon join Uganda Airlines in strengthening air transport links across Africa.
“And so very soon, the task force is almost done with their work. And very soon, we will join Uganda Airlines to be able to move our people from producing centres to the marketplaces, from the marketplaces to the factories, and from workplaces to other tourism sites, so that Africans will have that kind of free movement within our own [continent],” he added.
Meanwhile, Uganda Airlines is targeting daily flights between Accra and Entebbe, up from its current four flights a week, as it seeks to deepen air connectivity between West and East Africa.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Girma Wake, said the current four-times-weekly service was only the beginning of its ambitions in the Ghanaian market.
“For Uganda Airlines, coming four times a week to Ghana, to Accra, is not the end game,” he said.
Mr Wake also expressed appreciation to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for its support in facilitating the airline’s operations in Ghana, particularly the allocation of traffic rights between Accra and Lagos.
“We first of all thank the Ghana Civil Aviation for offering us all the support that we required, for giving us huge freedom traffic between Accra and Lagos, even though at the moment we will not be able to use it. But we are very grateful that you blessed our operation to Ghana,” he noted.
Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, said the new service would expand travel options while supporting tourism, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
“Beyond expanding travel options for passengers, this new service is expected to enhance connectivity, stimulate tourism and cultural exchange, facilitate trade, and strengthen economic cooperation between Ghana and Uganda,” she said.
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