Air Ghana to start operation soon-Transport Minister reveals

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has given indication that plans are far advanced for Ghana’s airline, Air Ghana, to be launched.

“Engagement with strategic partners is at advanced stage to pave the way for its launch. This is to ensure that Ghana’s aviation industry grows to become the pivot of regional and continental flight within the West African sub-region,” he noted.

The Minister said this on Monday when he joined other stakeholders to commission an L3 ProVision 2 body scanner and nine explosives and narcotics trace detectors at the Kotoka International Airport. The items were donated by the US Government to the Ghana Airports Company to beef up security activities at the passenger checkpoint for outbound flights inside Kotoka International Airport Terminal 3.

Collaboration

Mr Asiamah tasked players in the aviation industry to work hard to sustain the gains made in the industry over the years.

According to him, the successes chalked so far had culminated in the airport being adjudged the best international airport 2019 and 2020 in Africa. The successes include the expansion of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and the deployment of over US$7million to install three new navigational equipment at KIA to boost the safety and security of air craft is worth commending.

He stressed that the sector risk being under threat if players in the industry do not collaborate effectively to sustain and build upon the successes chalked.

According to the Minister, aviation remains a symbolic target for terrorists who seek to attack aircraft, airport and aviation facilities to inflict mass casualties to cause economic destruction and public fear. He stressed that it is only through effective collaboration by players in the industry that these threats could be curtailed.

“Safety and security are a priority of the aviation sector. Sustaining the industry requires not only safety regulatory measures but also robust security systems both on the ground and in the air.

“Our progress in the aviation industry will never be sustained if we do not work together with neighboring countries and other players in the industry. There is the need for us to combat emerging security threat in the sub-region. Our safety and security can be guaranteed through information sharing and adhering to regulatory standards in the industry,” he noted.

To this end, he has appealed to the Transport Security Administration of the United States Department of Homeland Security to further engage the government of Ghana in the spirit of international cooperation and information sharing to discuss aviation issues and other new emerging threats in the aviation industry through workshops, seminars and exchange programs.

“Let us all join hands and make aviation a mutual benefit,” he added.