The NPP government will work to ensure that the new national airline commences operations in at least one year’s time, Aviation Minister Nominee, Cecilia Dapaah has revealed.
“…The consultant said two years and I said we should do it in a year if possible so between one and two years, I think that should be the period,” she said at the vetting by the Appointment Committee of Parliament.
According to her, the Nana Addo led government will continue the feasibility studies conducted by the previous NDC government to facilitate the process of re-establishing the national carrier.
“We will have a study of the findings and add up what we have received so far and take it up from there…I’ve talked to a lot of people and I believe Ghana is ripe to have its own carrier at least to start with the ECOWAS sub-region and move on to regional and take it up from there,”
Ghana’s quest for a new national airline has become imperative following the collapse of the Ghana International Airlines in 2010.
The Ghana International Airlines was established in 2004 with 70 percent shares held by the government and 30 percent held by a US consortium GIA-USA.
The previous NDC government through the Transport Ministry engaged a transaction advisor PriceWaterhouseCoopers undertake the feasibility studies for the selection of a partner for the country’s national carrier.
Presently, ten airline companies have been shortlisted for evaluation and consideration.
But information available to Citi Business News indicate that the country has since December last year suspended plans to get a partner for the new national airline.
This is because the work of the approval committee in the Public Private Partnership process has stalled following the election of a new government.
The process is however expected to resume upon the confirmation of Cecilia Dapaah though the Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has assumed office.
Upon assumption, the Committee is expected to approve the Request for the proposal from the ten shortlisted airlines.
It is however unclear when the new committee will be formed.
In the absence of a national airline, Ghana is said to be missing out from the annual throughput of 326 million and 1.2 million for ECOWAS and Africa respectively.
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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
