Parliament has ratified seven long-pending Bilateral Air Services Agreements, removing legal barriers for Ghanaian carriers and advancing plans to re-establish a national airline with Boeing’s support.
Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, told the parliamentary press corps that the agreements, some dating to 1988, cover Benin, Luxembourg, Qatar and four other countries.
“Today, basically, we came to Parliament to ratify a lot of the agreements that have been signed over the years,” Nikpe said.
He said the move gives airlines legal certainty to operate in partner airspace and airports. “Ghana, as a country, we are positioning ourselves to become the hub for aviation within the West Africa sub-region, to be able to facilitate travels, trades, tourism and commerce.”
With the treaties now binding, Ghanaian airlines like Africa World Airlines can access partner markets without fresh negotiations. Nikpe cited Benin as an example where a Ghanaian carrier “can fly and use their airport, use their airspace without any trouble.”
On the flag carrier push, the Minister confirmed President Mahama has inaugurated a task force to drive the process. Talks are already underway with manufacturers.
“Yesterday I met with Boeing,” Nikpe disclosed. “Ghana bought its first Boeing aircraft in 1959. That makes us at Boeing cooperate together… to see to it that our vision of re-establishing a national air carrier, they are part of it.”
He said the dual strategy of ratifying treaties and reviving a national airline will “cut red tape, boost connectivity, and promote trade,” while ensuring Ghana meets international civil aviation standards. The goal, he added, is to have Ghanaians “flying in the skies with our flag.”
