Gov’t seeks UAE support to revive National Airline

The Government of Ghana is seeking technical support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of renewed efforts to re-establish a national airline, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Mr. Ablakwa disclosed the move in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, following a two-day official visit to the UAE at the invitation of its government.

“We also discussed two priority areas of President Mahama’s government, labour export for Ghanaian youth to the UAE and technical support for a new national airline,” he wrote.

He added that the discussions, which were held with top-level Emirati officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, covered wide-ranging bilateral partnerships.

The announcement comes as the government intensifies its efforts to restore a national carrier after previous failed attempts. Ghana Airways stopped operations in 2004, and its successor, Ghana International Airlines, collapsed in 2010.

As part of this renewed push, the government on May 8 inaugurated a 10-member National Airline Task Force to oversee the airline revival agenda.

The task force is chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, and includes aviation professionals and key government advisors like Joyce Bawa Mogtari.

The team has been tasked to design a business model, liaise with strategic and technical partners, and lead regulatory and operational processes such as staffing, aircraft acquisition, and route development.

Mr. Ablakwa noted that the trip also attracted potential investments from UAE firms in sectors including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare, education, aviation, and defence. These engagements, he said, are in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s message that Ghana is “open for business again.”

Read also…