Government working to transform aviation industry - Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has projected a complete transformation of the aviation industry as government initiates developmental projects to advance the sector.

Speaking at the first Aerospace and Aviation exhibition of West Africa, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in Ghana becoming the envisioned aviation hub in West Africa particularly with the introduction of the African Air Show.

“Government is recreating the aviation industry to develop the Ghanaian aviation industry and make it highly competitive within the West African region. It is the vision of government to establish Ghana both as an aviation hub within West Africa and a preferred destination of choice for travelers.”

He revealed government’s plans to liaise with the private sector to facilitate projects that will foster growth and excellence in the sector.

“Government’s overall direction for national development as contained in our coordinated program of economic and social development policies for the period 2017 to 2024 is to create the conditions for the private sector to thrive in the aviation industry and create employment especially for our youth. Government hopes to work with the private sector to offer modern attractive air transport infrastructure and by building capacity and establishing institutional and policy framework to enhance safety and security of air services.”

President Akufo-Addo highlighted projects government is championing, to ensure that its vision of making Ghana the aviation hub in West Africa is realized.

“There are ongoing and upcoming projects in Ghana’s aviation sector which will lead to enhanced air travel experience; the construction of terminal 3 at Kotoka International Airport (KIA), designed to accommodate 5 million passengers in the next five years will be completed in the year 2018, construction of modern air navigation center at KIA to ensure safety and security of aircrafts and passengers in our airspace. The construction of phase 2 of both the Kumasi and Tamale airports.

The African Airshow aims at engaging major investors for both general and commercial aviation in Africa to discover latest developments and innovations.

The program which is the first of its kind in the West African Sub region saw several dignitaries including the President and the Aviation Minister as well as dignitaries from other countries, converge at the Kotoka International Airport to dialogue on issues of importance to the aviation sector.

The three-day event is expected to end on Thursday October 25, 2017.