Mahama: Ghana Airways’ Collapse Was a “Grievous Mistake” | By Dominick Andoh | President John Dramani Mahama has described the liquidation of Ghana Airways as one of the most regrettable decisions in the nation’s aviation history, calling it a “grievous mistake” that must never be repeated.
Speaking at the official opening of the maiden Transport and Logistics Fair in Accra, the President revealed that government has begun reviewing reports on the establishment of a new national airline, this time under a public–private partnership model.
Reflecting on the defunct national carrier, President Mahama said: “All of us were very proud of our Ghana Airways. Unfortunately, it was liquidated because of a debt of $80 million, even though its assets exceeded $400 million. I think that was the grievous mistake. We didn’t have to let our national airline go down.”
Once a symbol of national pride and a leading carrier in Africa, Ghana Airways was liquidated in 2004 after years of financial mismanagement, political interference, and rising debt. Its successor, Ghana International Airlines, also collapsed in 2010.
Following years of unsuccessful attempts to launch a national airline, President John Dramani Mahama has established a new committee to lead the establishment of a new airline in partnership with the private sector.
“We are looking for partnerships to re-establish the airline, of course, with the private sector because we believe that private sector efficiency is important if we are to run a successful airline,” he stated. “Government will take an equity stake but be a minority holder and give management to whichever private sector investor that we partner with.”
The President emphasized that the new venture will be guided by lessons from Ghana Airways’ collapse, including overstaffing, political interference, and weak management oversight.
The proposed national carrier, expected to operate under a lean, commercially driven model, forms part of Ghana’s broader aviation growth agenda to position Kotoka International Airport as a leading West African hub.
Establishing a new national airline is expected to restore Ghana’s aviation sovereignty, create jobs, and boost tourism and trade while ensuring that past mistakes are never repeated.
President Mahama, who has long advocated for reviving the national airline, said the government is now working to correct that historical misstep.
Mahama: Ghana Airways’ Collapse Was a “Grievous Mistake” | AviationGhana | Send all enquiries and press releases to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com
