Ghana To Get Aerotropolis In Ningo-Prampram

The Minister of Aviation Ms Cecilia Dapaah, has stated that the Aviation sector in Ghana has progressed to promote the sector through the modernization of airport infrastructure as well as establish institutional and framework to enhance safety and security of air services.

'Our ultimate aim is to make Ghana a hub within the West Africa sub-region and the preferred destination of choice for travellers.'

Ms Dapaah who said this during the opening of a three-day Transport Sector Performance Review conference at Takoradi, announced that plans were advanced to build an aerotropolis in Ningo-Prampram.

The aerotropolis expected to be done in partnership with private sector would be a planned mixed-used development area and is expected to be an eminent location for economic investment.

She said innovative projects such as maintenance, repair and overhaul development, airport solar energy project and aviation school for pilots and cabin crew, would be undertaken at selected airports, adding 'as part of efforts to open up and connect the country for socio-economic development, the Ministry is facilitating the development of airports, airstrips and helipads across the country'.

Ms Dapaah hinted that the Ministry had also initiated steps for the enactment of an Airport Act to create the enabling environment for the private sector to participate in airport management and development, 'we are also developing a regulation for the use of drones as it has become increasingly an important element of air transport'.

The Aviation Minister said statistics indicates that the country currently has 37 international airlines operating and that there was further indication of new entrants coming on board soon as a result of the conducive environment and high standards of safety and security in the airspace amongst others.

She said for instance in 2017, the country recorded an increase in passenger throughput of 127,550 from 2, 381,789 in 2016 to 2, 509,339 for 2017.

This was made up of 1,811,428 international arriving and departing passengers, 214,650 transit passengers and 483,261 domestic passengers, 'this is ample evidence that the aviation sector has the potential to grow'.

She said the government has also abolished the 17.5 per cent Valued Added Tax on domestic air fares to make domestic air travel across the country affordable to the public, and that steps were also being taken to wave some of the taxes on aircraft spare parts which would help boost domestic air transport.

Ms Dapaah said the Ghana Aviation training academy was established to provide Aviation related courses for Aviation professionals to strengthen and enhance the human capacity of the sector.

The Minister said though the Ministry had recorded some achievements and innovative prospects in the industry, it was equally confronted with challenges such as inadequate financing for aviation infrastructure, lack of aviation master plan and inadequate inter model transport system among others.