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Business News of Friday, 12 November 2004

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Ghana Airways -Another Twist

...Branson says Virgin approached about Ghana airline
LONDON, Nov 12 (GHP) - British billionaire, Richard Branson, said on Friday that Virgin Group had been approached by Ghana officials about a possible investment in an airline.

"We have been approached by Ghana and there is a possibility we will, at some stage, have talks," Branson told reporters at Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

It?s not clear if Ghana government officials or Ghana International Airlines (GIA), the consortium that takes over Ghana airways, made the approach

GIA was formed purposely to partner with the Republic of Ghana to replace Ghana Airways, an airline that in recent years has been beset by myriad problems.

Under the terms, the government would own 70 per cent stake, with the remaining 30 per cent going to the GIA. The United States-based consortium, promised to start full operations by the end of this year.

Virgin has a history of taking half-stakes in offshore airlines. In September, Virgin took a 49 percent share in a new Nigerian airline, which will fly under the Virgin brand and was set up following the collapse of the African nation's flagship carrier last year.

The government has not given any official statement about the approach to Richard Branson.