The Minister for Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda has revealed that the government intends to hold about 20 percent of the shares in the new strategic partnership for the home-based carrier.
Speaking to journalists during his familiarisation tour of the new Terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport, KIA, the minister mentioned that, there are currently three investors – Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius and Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi who have all shown interest in being part of the proposed home-based carrier.
Adda noted that though government has not taken any position on the partnership yet, that decision will not be long in coming as government is reviewing the proposals submitted to it.
Ghana has been without a national airline since the late 2010 when the successor to Ghana Airways, Ghana International Airlines, GIA, ceased operations due to its high indebtedness.
Adda opined that, with the new home-based carrier, it would be good to float those shares on the stock exchange, where Ghanaians can buy into the airline.
The home-based carrier is expected to help the country derive maximum benefits from the African aviation sector which currently supports 6.8 million jobs and contributes US$72.5 billion to GDP in Africa.
This carrier is likely to develop new routes using government’s policies as the guideline.
Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), John Dekyem Attafuah also revealed that, there have been 36 full scale simulations at the Terminal 3 to ensure the readiness of the systems.
Attafuah expressed confidence that the new terminal would be ready for formal operations to begin on September 15.
The new Terminal 3 equipped with three business lounges, large commercial and retail areas and six boarding bridges will handle 1,250 passengers an hour.
On March 1, 2016, the construction of Terminal 3 of KIA officially commenced at an estimated cost of US$274 million and is capable of handling 5 million passengers a year from a total passenger throughput of 2.3 million, with an expansion potential of up to 6.5 million using state of the art facilities.
Aviation serves as an important catalyst in driving the expansion and development of economies across the world and Ghana is no exception, he added.
Ghana’s aviation industry experienced an impressive growth of 9.7 percent, compared to the global average of 7.5 percent.
Globally, growth in aviation delivers far reaching positive multiplier effects throughout all spheres of the economy.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
