Transport Minister Says Rectification of Long-Standing Air Service Agreements Will Position Ghana as West Africa’s Aviation Hub

The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, says government is rectifying long-standing Bilateral Air Service Agreements to provide Ghana with the legal framework needed to become the aviation hub of West Africa.

Addressing the Parliamentary Press after the House moved motions to ratify the agreements, the Saboba MP explained that many of the BASAs were signed years ago but were never rectified by Parliament.

“Today basically we came to parliament to rectify a lot of the agreements that have been signed over the years some dating to nineteen eighty-eight of the Bilateral Air Service between the Republic of Ghana and other countries that are desirous to do air service within our air space and our airports,” he said.

Hon. Nikpe noted that commercial airlines require clear agreements before using Ghana’s airspace and airports.

“You understand that before any commercial airline will use your air space they will want to find out how if there are issues those issues will be addressed. They will want to find out whether the country they are operating with has any agreement with the operating country or the countries they are operating from,” he stated.

Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, says the ratification of Bilateral Air Service Agreements by Parliament now gives Ghana the freedom to use the airspace and airports of partner countries without fresh negotiations.

“Because this will now allow us to use the various air space of the countries that are signing the agreement with,” he stated.