14/05/2025
Since the official liquidation of Ghana’s national carrier, successive governments have made numerous attempts to revive the country’s airline industry. The idea of reintroducing a national airline has surfaced repeatedly over the years, yet without lasting success. During the 2024 campaign, President John Dramani Mahama made a firm commitment to reestablish Ghana’s National Airline which is an essential step toward restoring national pride and boosting our economic potential. True to his word, he has inaugurated a 10-member Task Force mandated to deliver on this strategic promise.
Interestingly, this proposal has sparked significant national debate. Some argue for full government ownership, while others suggest a public-private partnership with an established airline, one that will leverage Ghana’s national identity without assuming full operational responsibility. Now, these discussions reflect the broader question: does Ghana truly need a national carrier?
In my view, the answer is a resounding yes.
Ghana’s strategic geographic location at the heart of West Africa positions it naturally as a hub for trade, job creation, tourism and investment. However, the absence of a reliable national airline has constrained our ability to fully capitalize on growing regional and global air traffic. I believe establishing a national carrier would not only enhance direct connectivity between Accra and major global destinations but also boost tourism, facilitate business travel and support economic diversification.
Moreover, a national airline would provide direct routes that reduce travel time and costs for both Ghanaians and international visitors, making Ghana more competitive as a regional gateway. And the economic impact would extend beyond aviation: job creation, skills development and technological innovation in the sector would have a ripple effect on allied industries such as hospitality, logistics and aircraft maintenance.
Importantly, a well-governed and professionally managed national carrier would be a symbol of national ambition and pride and reflect Ghana’s pursuit of growth, self-reliance and global integration. By learning from past mistakes and implementing a sound business model with strong regulatory oversight, we can build a sustainable, homegrown airline that contributes meaningfully to our development agenda – the Ghana we want!
The time has come not just to revisit this idea, but to realize it with clarity of vision, institutional discipline and strong political will.
