Ghana Moves to Revive National Airline with UAE’s Backing After High-Level Diplomatic Talks

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Ghana is making renewed strides toward re-establishing a national airline, with technical support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a high-level diplomatic visit to Abu Dhabi.

The announcement was made by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The update came shortly after a two-day official visit to the UAE at the invitation of the Emirati government. During the visit, he confirmed that bilateral talks had resulted in a UAE commitment to assist Ghana in launching a new national carrier—an initiative identified as a key priority by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

“We also discussed two major areas of focus for President Mahama’s government — employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth in the UAE and technical support for reviving our national airline,” Ablakwa noted.

The Ghanaian delegation held discussions with top UAE officials, including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs; and other ministers involved in foreign trade and investment.

In a major diplomatic development, both countries agreed to initiate formal political consultations, marking the first such framework between Ghana and the UAE. Ghana’s quest to restore a national airline follows several failed attempts after the collapse of Ghana Airways in 2004 and Ghana International Airlines in 2010. Despite numerous proposals over the years, none have materialised.

However, the current administration has taken concrete steps to revive the vision. On 8 May 2025, the government launched a 10-member National Airline Task Force to spearhead the initiative. Chaired by Charles Asare, former MD of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the task force includes seasoned aviation professionals and government advisors, including Joyce Bawa Mogtari. The group is mandated to develop a viable business model, forge partnerships with international stakeholders, secure regulatory approvals, and oversee operations, from staffing and fleet acquisition to route development.

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 In addition to aviation, Ablakwa highlighted that the diplomatic visit unlocked new investment prospects across multiple sectors — including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare, education, defence, and more — all aligned with President Mahama’s renewed vision for economic transformation. “President Mahama is sending a strong signal to the global investment community — Ghana is open for business again,” Ablakwa affirmed.