Ghana’s national airline task force nears completion of work – Transport Minister

Ghana’s plan to establish a national airline is progressing, with the task force overseeing the project nearing completion of its work, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has disclosed.

The proposed carrier is expected to strengthen Ghana’s participation in the aviation industry, improve regional air connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods across Africa.

Mr Nikpe made the disclosure at the launch of Uganda Airlines’ Accra–Entebbe service, where he stressed the need for Ghana to operate its own airline rather than rely solely on foreign carriers to connect its airports to regional and international destinations.

He said the government considers a national airline necessary to complement investments in airport infrastructure and enable the country to participate more actively in the aviation business.

Mr Nikpe recalled that Ghana previously operated Ghana Airways, which was liquidated several years ago, adding that the government was working towards establishing a new national carrier.

“All of us are aware that Ghana used to have Ghana Airways, which got liquidated some years back. His Excellency the President is thinking that we cannot have beautiful airports and connect our airports to other airports without participating in that industry of aviation or flying people,” he said.

The minister indicated that the task force responsible for the project was close to completing its assignment, although he did not provide a specific launch date or further details about the proposed airline’s ownership, financing or operational structure.

He expressed optimism that Ghana would soon be in a position to participate more directly in the aviation industry and strengthen connections between African markets.

“And so very soon, the task force is almost done with their work. And very soon, we will join Uganda Airlines to be able to move our people from producing centres to the marketplaces, from the marketplaces to the factories, and from workplaces to other tourism sites, so that Africans will have that kind of free movement within our own [continent],” he added.

A national carrier could potentially support trade, tourism and passenger movement, although its eventual impact will depend on the airline’s business model, route network, financial sustainability and regulatory approvals.

Meanwhile, Uganda Airlines has announced ambitions to increase its Accra–Entebbe service from the current four flights per week to daily operations.

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Girma Wake, said the existing schedule was only the beginning of its plans for the Ghanaian market.

“For Uganda Airlines, coming four times a week to Ghana, to Accra, is not the end game,” he said.

An increase to daily flights would provide more frequent travel options between Ghana and Uganda, potentially benefiting business travellers, tourists and other passengers travelling between West and East Africa.

However, the airline has not indicated when the proposed daily schedule would take effect.

Mr Wake also expressed appreciation to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for supporting the airline’s operations in Ghana, particularly through the allocation of traffic rights between Accra and Lagos.

“We first of all thank the Ghana Civil Aviation for offering us all the support that we required, for giving us huge freedom traffic between Accra and Lagos, even though at the moment we will not be able to use it. But we are very grateful that you blessed our operation to Ghana,” he said.

Traffic rights determine the commercial freedoms airlines receive to operate services between countries and destinations. Such arrangements can help carriers expand their networks and improve connections between markets.

Although Uganda Airlines currently operates the Accra–Entebbe service, Mr Wake’s comments indicate that the airline sees further opportunities to expand its presence in the region.

The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, said the new service would broaden passenger travel options while supporting tourism, trade and economic cooperation between Ghana and Uganda.

“Beyond expanding travel options for passengers, this new service is expected to enhance connectivity, stimulate tourism and cultural exchange, facilitate trade, and strengthen economic cooperation between Ghana and Uganda,” she said.

Improved air links between the two countries could make business travel and tourism more convenient while supporting commercial exchanges between companies and institutions.

The launch also highlights the wider role of regional airlines in connecting African markets, particularly as governments and aviation operators seek to improve intra-African transport links.

Ghana’s proposed national airline and Uganda Airlines’ expansion ambitions reflect parallel efforts to strengthen air connectivity across the continent.

For Ghana, the immediate next step is the completion of the task force’s work and the clarification of the proposed carrier’s operational and financial plans.

For Uganda Airlines, increasing the frequency of flights to Accra would deepen its presence in West Africa and provide passengers with more travel options.

Both developments are expected to contribute to discussions about the role of aviation in supporting trade, tourism and the movement of people across African countries.