
Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama and former Deputy Minister for Transport, has joined the ongoing national conversation about whether Ghana should establish its own national airline.
As a member of the taskforce set up to explore the creation of a national carrier, Madam Mogtari strongly believes that Ghana truly needs a national airline to enhance connectivity, promote tourism, and support economic development.
According to her, a well-managed national carrier could serve as a strategic asset that benefits the country in multiple sectors, including trade and investment.
She shared her insights in a detailed write-up that outlines the rationale behind her position and the potential impact of a national airline on Ghana’s growth and global presence.
Read the full write-up below:
Joyce Bawa Mogtari writes …..
Since the official liquidation of Ghana’s national carrier, successive governments have made numerous attempts to revive the country’s airline industry. The idea of reintroducing a national airline has surfaced repeatedly over the years, yet without lasting success.
During the 2024 campaign, President John Dramani Mahama made a firm commitment to reestablish Ghana’s National Airline which is an essential step toward restoring national pride and boosting our economic potential.
True to his word, he has inaugurated a 10-member Task Force mandated to deliver on this strategic promise. Interestingly, this proposal has sparked significant national debate.
Some argue for full government ownership, while others suggest a public-private partnership with an established airline, one that will leverage Ghana’s national identity without assuming full operational responsibility.
Now, these discussions reflect the broader question: does Ghana truly need a national carrier?
In my view, the answer is a resounding yes.
Ghana’s strategic geographic location at the heart of West Africa positions it naturally as a hub for trade, job creation, tourism and investment.
However, the absence of a reliable national airline has constrained our ability to fully capitalize on growing regional and global air traffic.
I believe establishing a national carrier would not only enhance direct connectivity between Accra and major global destinations but also boost tourism, facilitate business travel and support economic diversification.
Moreover, a national airline would provide direct routes that reduce travel time and costs for both Ghanaians and international visitors, making Ghana more competitive as a regional gateway.
And the economic impact would extend beyond aviation: job creation, skills development and technological innovation in the sector would have a ripple effect on allied industries such as hospitality, logistics and aircraft maintenance.
Importantly, a well-governed and professionally managed national carrier would be a symbol of national ambition and pride and reflect Ghana’s pursuit of growth, self-reliance and global integration.
By learning from past mistakes and implementing a sound business model with strong regulatory oversight, we can build a sustainable, homegrown airline that contributes meaningfully to our development agenda – the Ghana we want!
The time has come not just to revisit this idea, but to realize it with clarity of vision, institutional discipline and strong political will.
#MahamaThePresident
#actanonverba
Madam Mogtari’s intervention adds an experienced voice to the debate, drawing from her background in aviation policy and her time at the Ministry of Transport.
The ten-member Taskforce tasked by President Mahama to explore the creation of a national carrier comprises seasoned experts and key stakeholders in the aviation industry.
It is chaired by Mr. Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). Other notable members include, Mr. Hugh Tamakloe, Mr. Benjamin Ahlijah, and Madam Patricia Bonsu, as well as the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Rev. Stephen Arthur.
The Managing Director of GACL Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, Former Deputy Minister of Transport and legal expert, Madam Joyce Bawa Mogtari, former Deputy Director-General (Technical) of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Daniel Acquah, and Mr. Eric Tetteh-Addison of the Ministry of Transport.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana