Ghana is working to re-establish a national airline with technical support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following high-level diplomatic talks held in Abu Dhabi.
The announcement was made by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
The update came shortly after a two-day official visit to the UAE at the invitation of the Emirati government.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, bilateral discussions led to an agreement on UAE assistance for Ghana’s efforts to relaunch a national carrier.
He highlighted that this initiative aligns with the development agenda of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
“We also discussed two priority areas of President Mahama’s government — labour export opportunities for Ghanaian youth in the UAE and technical assistance for establishing a new national airline,” Ablakwa stated.
During the visit, the Ghanaian delegation met with several top Emirati officials, including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; and Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs. Ministers overseeing foreign trade and investment were also present.
Mr. Ablakwa confirmed that Ghana and the UAE had agreed to initiate formal political consultations — a first between the two nations — marking a milestone in bilateral relations.
Ghana has made several unsuccessful attempts to revive a national airline since the collapse of Ghana Airways in 2004 and Ghana International Airlines in 2010.
Despite various proposals over the years, no sustainable solution had been found — until now.
On 8 May 2025, the Mahama administration took a major step by inaugurating a 10-member National Airline Task Force to oversee the revival process.
The task force has been mandated to design a viable business model, engage with international partners, obtain regulatory approvals, and oversee operational planning, including fleet acquisition and route development.
The task force is chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, and includes aviation experts, former officials from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and presidential advisor Joyce Bawa Mogtari.
Beyond aviation, the diplomatic visit has opened new avenues for UAE investment in Ghana. Mr. Ablakwa reported that discussions identified several key sectors for collaboration, including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, defence, and aviation.
He emphasized that these opportunities align with President Mahama’s renewed economic vision, adding that the president is “sending a clear message to the global investment community that Ghana is open for business again.”
