Reviving Ghana Airways: President Hints at Public-Private Partnership
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to revive Ghana Airways under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement as part of a broader initiative to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure.
According to him, the government will take only a minority stake, allowing the private sector to manage operations to ensure efficiency.
Speaking at the Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair 2025 held yesterday in Accra, President Mahama acknowledged the resilience of Ghana’s aviation sector, noting that several airports—including Wa, Sunyani, Tamale, and Accra—were currently operational and facilitating swift domestic travel.
The fair, held under the theme “Resetting Ghana’s Transport Sector for Improved Connectivity, Innovation, and Investment,” aims to showcase ongoing reforms, highlight investment opportunities, and promote partnerships to boost innovation and connectivity across the sector.
He reiterated that while the government would retain a minority equity stake, operational control and management would be led by a private sector partner.
“Government will take an equity stake but remain a minority shareholder, allowing the private sector to lead in management and operations. We believe private sector efficiency is key to building a successful airline,” he stated.
President Mahama described the collapse of the former national airline as “one of the gravest mistakes” in Ghana’s aviation history, citing an $80 million debt as the primary cause of its dissolution.
“The loss of our national airline was a huge blow to our aviation sector and national identity. It is time to correct that mistake,” he said.
He also noted the growth in domestic air travel—with functional airports in Accra, Tamale, Wa, and Sunyani—and hinted at new incentives to support local aviation operators.
According to the President, the new airline would not only generate employment but also strengthen Ghana’s position as a transport and logistics hub in West Africa, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose secretariat is based in Accra.
The Minister of Transport, Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, on his part, spoke about comprehensive reforms to enhance connectivity, safety, and innovation across multiple modes of transport.
Among the key initiatives, he said, were the expansion of Kotoka International Airport, construction of a new air traffic control tower, and rehabilitation of maritime infrastructure, including the Tema Harbour breakwater.
Mr. Nikpe also outlined plans for urban mobility reforms, the formalisation of commercial motorcycle operations, and ongoing improvements to road safety regulations.
He added that public transport reforms would include the fleet renewal of Metro Mass Transit and the State Transport Corporation (STC), with an emphasis on the introduction of electric buses.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
