Ghana in talks with Emirates to revive Airline Industry

Ghana is in talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to see how best the latter could help revive Ghana's national airline, Mr Daniel Osei, Ghana’s Consul General in the UAE has said.

Speaking to the media after a visit to the Ghanaian stand at the ongoing 13th Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo (MENOPE) 2015, Mr Osei said Ghana was interested and determined in creating a national airline and was actively looking for the right partners to make the plan a reality.

“Ghana is hoping to have a national airline very soon and the story of Emirates is widely known and these are top notch companies that we hope to engage. I have approached Etihad and Emirates and everything hinges on PricewaterhouseCoopers’s advice. So at the appropriate time we will take things to the next level,” Mr Osei said.

Mr Osei said Ghana is also engaging the UAE on government to government level in different sectors, especially in the areas of transport and mining.

“We are emphasising on government to government talks, particularly in the transport, oil and mining industry,” he said, adding that Ghana and the UAE had strong relations and the future holds very bright prospects for both countries.

He said for instance, the Dubai Port World, a renowned port operator, has expressed interest in the Boankrah inland port project.

Mr Osei urged Ghanaian agro-businesses to position themselves to take advantage of the huge food import market in the UAE and do some exports.

“The UAE import a lot of their food and we as an agriculture country must position itself to take advantage of that market and do some good exports into this market,” he said.

He advised Ghanaian businesses seeking to export to make their presentations attractive to potential investors and to formalize their relationship anytime they struck a deal.

About 70 per cent of travellers on Emirates come to the UAE and other parts of Asia for trading. The UAE, particularly Dubai has evolved as a hub for trading, business, commerce, finance, tourism and others.

Twelve Ghanaian exhibitors are participating in the three-day event being held from 2nd November to the 4th November, which is expected to attract over 4,000 visitors and featuring more than 120 companies, including 75 international exhibitors.

The exhibitors are showcasing products such as Shea butter, dried fruits, black soap, moringa and hibiscus tea as well as cocoa powder and honey.

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry is coordinating the participation of the Ghanaian companies on the theme: "Promoting Quality Products to Maximise Market Opportunities."

It is the first time Ghana is taking part in the MENOPE, the only one exhibition in the region for natural and organic products.