Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced that the government is seeking partnerships to establish a national airline, citing the country’s current economic challenges as a significant obstacle to undertaking the project independently.
Speaking to staff at the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Minister Nikpe revealed that a shortlist of potential partners will be unveiled soon, marking a crucial step towards reviving Ghana’s national airline.
“We inherited an economy that is challenged, and for now, we cannot establish a national airline. So, we are looking for a partnership. When it comes to partnership, it will take time. We have to know who they are to partner with you to bring in a national carrier that will fly for a very long time,” Minister Nikpe explained.
This development comes nearly two decades after Ghana’s national carrier ceased operations due to a US ban linked to operational debts. The country’s original national airline, Ghana Airways, operated from 1958 to 2004, followed by Ghana International Airlines, which served from 2005 to 2010.
Efforts to revive a national airline gained momentum in September 2022 when Ashanti Airlines was selected to partner with the government, sparking hopes for the launch of a rebranded ‘Ghana Airlines’.
The government has received interest and bids from multiple stakeholders, paving the way for a potential partnership.
