A News Desk Story
Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister for Transport, stated that the nation’s efforts to reinstate a national carrier are crucial to achieving its goal of being recognized as the doorway to Africa.
At the launch of a 10-person National Airline Task Force held at the GCAA headquarters in Accra, the minister said that the government sees this new airline both as a business endeavor and as crucial national infrastructure aimed at boosting tourism, commerce, and regional connectivity.
For a nation aiming to establish itself as an entry point to a continent, having a national carrier is essential,” Mr. Nikpe stated. “This goes beyond mere national pride; it serves as a crucial platform for fostering economic expansion and enhancing interconnectedness.
This development occurs nearly twenty years following the downfall of Ghana Airways and subsequent multiple failed endeavors to revive a state airline. The current attempt is perceived as the best-organized one so far, supported by the establishment of a specialized task force to oversee the project.
Charles Asare, a previous leader in aviation, heads the task force, with Twumasi-A. Selby serving as Deputy Chairperson. The team also comprises Yvonne Opare, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Ellis Hugh-Tamakloe, Benjamin Ahlijah, Patricia Bonsu, Stephen Arthur, Daniel Acquah, and Eric Tetteh-Addison, acting as both a member and secretary of the group.
They are tasked with completing the potential airline’s business strategy and operating structure, spearheading interactions with key strategic and technical collaborators, and ensuring adherence to regulations and certifications.
The group is anticipated to manage early activities such as hiring personnel and obtaining airplanes.
When defining the task force’s responsibilities, the Transport Minister highlighted that although Ghana’s aviation facilities have greatly improved over the last ten years, they continue to be underused.
“Our airports rank among the top ones in the sub-region. However, lacking a national carrier means we’re giving away the advantages of our investments to international airlines,” he stated.
Mr. Asare, who leads the Task Force, assured everyone of their dedication to making sure the airline has a solid and sustainable commercial base. “We have been entrusted with this national mission,” he stated. “Our aim is to present an operation that is both feasible and competitive, ultimately benefiting the Ghanaian populace over time.”
Even with positive expectations at the start, worries persist regarding the financial feasibility of state-owned airlines in developing countries.
African aviation experts observe that numerous countries within Africa have found it challenging to maintain government-supported airlines because of significant financial demands, unpredictable fuel prices, and strong rivalry from well-established global carriers.
Industry watchers have noted that although national airlines might seem appealing from a political standpoint and hold significant symbolic value, they frequently encounter commercial challenges.
For a nation such as Ghana, it has been suggested that adopting a mixed public-private approach, enforcing rigorous cost containment measures, and ensuring professionally managed operations devoid of political influence will be crucial.
The government seems aware of these potential dangers. The minister responsible for the sector emphasized that the airline will not function solely as a state-owned enterprise.
“We are exploring strategic alliances that provide both funding and know-how,” he stated, mentioning that further specifics would be concluded and disclosed shortly.
The initiative has received high-level political backing, including from President John Dramani Mahama who has consistently championed the revival of a national airline as part of his government’s broader economic transformation acara.
The Transportation Ministry stated that the task force will provide periodic updates to the president via its office and is anticipated to present a detailed plan for the upcoming launch of the airline within the next few months.
Ghana was one of the initial nations in Western Africa to run a nationwide airline, with Ghana Airways functioning as both a regional and international carrier from 1958 until its services ended in 2004 due to various operational issues.
Its immediate successor, Ghana International Airlines, faced the same fate following its five-year stint from 2005 to 2010.
Since then, several private operators have tried to bridge this gap, yet none have managed to rival the former national airline’s magnitude or merk recognition.
In recent times, nations such as Ethiopia and Rwanda have shown that African national airlines can thrive if they are operated efficiently and targeted at capturing local transit traffic.
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