US government introduces open skies policy to Ghana

Accra (Greater Accra), 26 Jan. '99 - The US government yesterday introduced its 'Open Skies Policy" to Ghana with the aim of fostering growth in aviation services between the two countries . It is expected to open the country's airspace to all air routes, create a competitive and efficient environment to offer the best transportation options in air transport systems as well as open opportunities for marketing and travel. The policy will also offer better services and lower fares , access to new markets, efficient airline operations and stimulate trade, investment and tourism. This was made known at a one day seminar on the ' US Open Skies Policy" organised by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Embassy of the United States of America, at the International Conference Centre in Accra yesterday. The seminar was attended by a high-powered delegation from the US Department of Transport, led by Mr Bradley Mims, US deputy assistant secretary of aviation and international affairs, Ministers of State, parliamentarians ,officials of GCAA and Airline and tour operators. In an address, Mr Sam Abbey, Chief Director at the Ministry of Roads and Transport, said the seminar, the first of its kind in the sub-region is timely because his outfit and the Gateway Secretariat are reviewing and reforming Ghana's aviation policies to meet the challenges of the next millennium. He said the government has already promulgated the free zone act that liberalises the country's skies policy and hopes that the seminar will unfold the benefits and risks inherent in the US open skies policy. Mr Abbey said although the GCAA was commended for its unique efforts in achieving the US Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) category one status for safety oversight, "we wish to renew our commitment to the US 'safe skies' policy that seeks to improve the air navigation and traffic control facilities, services and infrastructure". Mr Mims said United States will like to explore with its partners pragmatic approaches to link Africa to the global system and help to develop the US-Africa aviation market. He said already his country is seeing improvements in US-Africa aviation services with the opening of routes to Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya . " The continued market opening activity like this is not only possible but also imperative if we are to revive our long neglected aviation possibilities," he said.