The Giant Black Star of Africa is about to take it’s rightful place in African and world aviation by the end of March 2019.
According to Ghana’s minister for Aviation, Hon Joseph Kofi Adda, talks are underway with leading African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines and other investors to kick start the national airline by March 2019.
Revealing that there is still further negotiations to be held in the coming months before final conclusions are made and “hopefully the operationalization of a home-based carrier will commence”.
Mr Adda was speaking at a stakeholders meeting held at Aburi in Ghana’s Eastern Region last Wednesday when he disclosed the news.
Before this announcement previous governments had assured Ghanaians of the revival of the national airline which ceased operation in 2004.
Ghana after independence started it’s own carrier with a start up capital of ₤400,000 and 60% majority stake by the government whiles the BOAC held the rest of the shares.
The airline’s first aircraft was a de Havilland Heron which was delivered on 30 December,1958. As at the first year of operations it had amassed a profit of US$28,000.
In later years, Ghana’s pride in the Air and the airline of choice for most Ghanaians ceased operations after it experienced mismanagement, nepotism, huge debts and colossal disgrace. Forcing the government to sack it’s board members before shutting it down completely.
One of it’s carriers was later transformed into a restaurant, La Tante DC 10 which offered local and continental cuisines to Ghanaian visitors and tourists alike.
A national airline will go a long way in boosting tourism, provide employment and will see the decrease in exorbitant fare prices charged by other carriers who ply the Accra route. Kudos Ghana!!