Aviation: Five Things To Expect Under Prez Mahama | Following the declaration of John Dramani Mahama as the President-elect by Ghana’s Electoral Commission, here are five things to expect in the aviation sector under a Mahama Administration in the next four years, starting on January 7, 2025
#1 New National Airline:
Ghana has been without a national airline since the collapse of Ghana International Airlines in 2010, following the demise of Ghana Airways in 2004. Attempts to establish a new home-based carrier have led to the signing of MoUs with multiple entities with no clear outcome.
President-elect John Dramani Mahama has pledged to facilitate the establishment of a new national airline for the country. Presenting highlights of the NDC’s Manifesto in the Central Region, he noted that his government will “facilitate the establishment of a National Airline.”
Ghana Airlines, a public-private initiative by the Government of Ghana to operationalise a home-based carrier, is not ready to fly despite initial assurances that the airline would start selling tickets in April and May and commence commercial flights by June-July 2023. Ashanti Airlines and its financial partner, Zotus Group, won the tender to commence business last year, and earnestly began processes to acquire the requisite certification from the aviation sector regulator, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Ashanti Airlines, which already had an Air Carrier License (ACL) before the tender award, filed its documentation with the GCAA for an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC)—the second such certification mandated by law before an airline is fully established and can start commercial scheduled and non-scheduled flights.Ashanti Airlines and its financial partner, Zotus Group, led by former footballer Emile Heskey, have yet to launch their logo and offer tickets for sale.
Ashanti Airlines is backed by Ghanaian business mogul Osei Kwame Despite, co-founder of the Despite Group of Companies, and his partner Ernest Ofori Sarpong.
#2: Putting HO Airport to use
The HO Airport, constructed as part of a wider government plan to establish an airport in every region under the previous Mahama-led administration, has vastly been underutilised. With the mounting maintenance cost and no clear revenue stream, there is an urgent need to find a use for the US$25 million facility deemed commercially not profitable for scheduled domestic flights by existing airline operators.
Passion Air and Africa World Airlines (AWA) initially attempted to serve the Ho Airport but were suspended mainly due to a lack of passengers. The facility has largely remained idle, with huge overhead costs to the facility manager, Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).
The NDC 2024 manifesto shows what to expect under a new Mahama administration. The NDC says it will establish certified Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) Stations at the Tamale and Ho airports. It also promises to promote the establishment of training and educational institutions for technical, administrative and service jobs in the aviation industry at the HO Airport.
#3: Encouraging More Domestic & International Airlines
A combination of poor policy decisions and economic challenges over the past decade has left Ghana with only two viable scheduled passenger domestic operators and one charter operator. Antrak Air, Starbow, and Fly540 have all collapsed. Relax Airlines, PANAF Airlines and GoldStar Airlines are all still undergoing the certification process to start flying.
The new Mahama-led administration promises to “create the most competitive environment for local and international airlines to expand their fleet and routes into other emerging markets within the ECOWAS region and beyond.
#4 Airport City in Every Region
There are currently five main domestic airports in operation. To add value and ensure it benefits the communities they are located, a Mahama-led administration promises to: ” Carry out a non-aeronautical estate business development of the airport lands in Accra and at all
the other regional airports with full participation of the private sector under an Airport City Precinct Development Scheme.
#5 Revisit COVID-19 Screening Funds
With no closure on the contract allocation, ownership of the COVID-19 screening process, funds realised, or allocation, the Mahama-led government, in its 2024 Manifesto, promises to look into such issues under its Accountability banner.
AviationGhana | Aviation: Five Things To Expect Under Prez Mahama
