Government denies purported planned sale of Kotoka International Airport

Transport Minister Alhaji Collins Duada has denied reports that government is planning to sell Kotoka International Airport to a strategic investor.

Editor of the Insight newspaper Kwasi Pratt Junior some months back reportedly intercepted some documents that indicated government is seeking public-private partnership in running the Kotoka, Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi Airports.

But Alhaji Dauda tells JOY-BUSINESS they are only seeking private partnership to develop the airports' infrastructure.

“If you don't have the resources yet want to develop, you only invite somebody who can partner you to provide the needed infrastructure at the airport and that's what we're seeking to do. This is not a new thing because Aviance which as a private company for instance is operating the ground handling at the airport and this is in partnership with the Ghana Airports Company" he noted.

There are several other examples here in Ghana and therefore we still stand by the Private Public Partnership arrangement to provide standard infrastructure to enhance aviation activities in the country" he added.

He also confirmed that government is looking at establishing a new national carrier soon.

“We have that agenda of having a national carrier. We haven't abandoned the idea but as to when it would materialize that's what I'm not in a position to tell currently” he added.

Story by Emmanuel Agyei / George Wiafe / Joy Business / Ghana