Goldstar Air receives international award; promises 5,000 jobs

Goldstar Air, a wholly owned Ghanaian airline, has received an international award, presented in Accra by the Christian Philanthropist Forum, an international faith-based organization.

The award, presented at the Annual Lecture and Awards by the Christian Philanthropist Forum in Accra, was in recognition of the airline, which recently was honoured as “The Most Promising Airline Company of the Year” at the Quality Excellence Awards.

Mr. Eric Bannerman, the Executive Chairman of Goldstar Air received the prestigious award, presented by Mr. Oscar Ugoh of Corporate Guardian Africa.

Mr Bannerman thanked the Christian Philanthropist Forum and assured the nation that Goldstar Air would not rest on its oars, but strive for excellence with tailor-made services suited to the aviation and tourism industries.

Mr. Theophilus Edzie, the Communications Director of Goldstar Air, said the company was pursuing a strategic initiative to leverage its local and global exposure as well as presence for positive change in the aviation industry in the country and Africa as a whole.

The airline, he said, will be flying to twelve destinations worldwide, namely: London, Dubai, Baltimore Washington International, Guangzhou, Providence International Airport, Lagos, Abidjan, Monrovia, Freetown, Conakry, Banjul and Dakar.

“Our intention, as Ghanaians, is to build a state-of-the art and trend-setting aviation industry, able to compete within the international market in terms of safety, quality, reliability, punctuality, efficiency and costs.”

This, he believed, would improve the Ghanaian economy through the provision of affordable and available international business and also improve the lives of Ghanaians through the provision of affordable and available international travel.

Furthermore, it would provide Job opportunities and aviation related training to Ghanaians especially the youth.

Mr Edzie announced that the airline will be creating a minimum of 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in Ghana, which would include pilots, ground service Crew, service persons in maintenance, cabin crew, counter Agents and travel agents.

Others would be tour operators, country managers, station managers, accountants, flight dispatchers, drivers, marketing personnel, air marshals, cargo gents, movies producers and catering Services among others.

According to Bishop Peter Kayode Falarungbon, the Convener, the Forum is poised to identify more of such personalities and companies with the aim of encouraging them in order to leave a good legacy for future generations.

Six awards were presented to distinguished personalities and companies who are changing Lives and imparting communities positively at the Annual Lecture and Awards night, held on the theme: “Imparting Society Positively through Philanthropism”.

Others recognised at the ceremony were Madam Vanessa Addo, Managing Director, Vaniado Ghana; Madam Catherine Nelson, General Manager, Bajfreight & Logistics Tema; Mr. Bode Oseni, Managing Director of RegencyNem Insurance Ghana Limited; Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Alabi, Founder, Mission of Hope; and Madam Genet W. Michael, Country Manager, Ethiopian Airlines.