After years of stalled efforts, Ghana’s long-discussed return to the skies through a national airline may finally be approaching takeoff, with the government projecting operations to begin within the next year.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said the remaining paperwork and regulatory approvals are advancing and should be concluded in time to allow the carrier to launch within 12 months. He said the administration is confident the process will not suffer the setbacks that derailed earlier revival attempts.
Mr Nikpe spoke to journalists on January 28 at Kotoka International Airport during the maiden arrival of Air Tanzania’s flight to Accra. Reflecting on past failures, he acknowledged that previous governments were unable to restore a national airline after the collapse of Ghana Airways.
“For some time, since Ghana Airways was liquidated, several attempts have been made to re-establish a national airline, but these efforts have not come to fruition.
“However, I firmly believe that under President Mahama, we have set up a task force, and the task force is working. Within the next 12 months, we will be celebrating a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world,” he said, according to a Graphic Online report.
While declining to outline details about ownership arrangements or aircraft acquisition, the minister maintained that the project remains on track and is progressing steadily behind the scenes.
