The Minister for Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda has assured that government will fully implement the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), which is consistent with its vision of making Ghana an aviation hub in Africa.
This agreement is intended to derive maximum socio-economic benefits in country’s air transport industry.
In a release commemorating the Yamoussoukro Decision Day, the Minister indicated that government’s commitment is evidenced by the rapid development of additional aerodromes and ancillary aviation services in Ghana including the establishment of a Pilot Training Academy (to meet the shortfall in the aviation industry).
Adda also noted that government is keen on getting an Aircraft Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facility, and cargo services, as well as a new Air Navigation Services Complex, to decouple air navigation services from the Aviation Regulator.
Due to the impediments in the aviation sector on the continent, the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) was adopted as a follow-up to the Yamoussoukro Declaration of 1988 in which many African states agreed to the principles of liberalization of the air transport market in Africa.
Forty-four (44) African States became signatories to the YD and committed to deregulate their air services and promote regional air markets and open up to transnational competition. Of the 44 Signatory States to the YD, 27 States, including Ghana, have signed a solemn commitment to fully liberalize their air transport markets.
“Ghana being fully compliant with the YD has removed all restrictions on traffic rights as regards frequencies, air fares and capacity for all airlines from concerned State Parties as provided in the YD and has also taken immediate additional measures towards the actualization of the YD,” Adda noted
Single African Air Transport Market
In 2015, the Signatory States to the YD adopted the Declaration on the Establishment of a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and a solemn commitment to the immediate implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision towards the establishment of a SAATM.
The benefits of the establishment of the SAATM include; improved air services connectivity; reduction in air fares; enhanced Intra-African Trade; and enhanced sustainability of African airlines operations.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
