Joyce Bawa Mogtari backs Mahama’s vision for national airline revival

Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama, supports reviving Ghana’s national airline. She sees it as vital for restoring national pride and boosting the economy.

In a statement on Monday, Mrs. Mogtari noted Ghana's long efforts to reestablish a national carrier. Since the liquidation of Ghana Airways, successive governments have struggled to make progress.

She praised President Mahama for forming a 10-member task force. This group will implement his 2024 campaign promise to restore the airline. “True to his word, he has inaugurated a Task Force,” she stated.

The proposal has sparked debate across the nation. Some want full government ownership while others prefer a Public-Private Partnership model. However, Mrs. Mogtari believes Ghana's location makes a national carrier necessary.

“Ghana’s geographic position positions it as a hub for trade and tourism,” she said. The lack of a reliable airline limits our ability to benefit from air traffic.

A well-managed airline could improve connectivity between Accra and key destinations. It could also lower travel costs and create jobs in aviation-related industries like hospitality and logistics.

Beyond economics, Mrs. Mogtari emphasized that a national airline symbolizes ambition and pride. It shows Ghana's readiness to compete globally.

She called for an airline that is sustainable, professionally managed, and well-regulated. “The time has come not just to revisit this idea but to realize it,” she concluded.