Turkey and South Africa pledge to offer aviation assistance to Ghana

Turkey and South Africa have pledged to offer technical assistance to Ghana including training the country’s pilots. The South African High Commissioner, Lulu Xingwana and the Turkish Ambassador, Dr. Ozlem Ergun Ulueren made the declaration when they called on Aviation Minister; Joseph Kofi Adda.

In the process of formalizing their relationship with Ghana, the two countries seek to share resources, skills and assist in training personnel who can manage airports in the country.

“In our view, we see Accra as a hub for the region because we can train technicians for the sector who can assist and help in various part of the region,” Mandam Lulu Xingwana declared.

Dr. Ozlem Ergun Ulueren submitted Turkey had pumped millions of dollars in the Ghanaian economy with the construction sector alone seeing US$500 million cash injection. She added Turkey views Ghana as a key development partner with eyes also on the agriculture and tourism sectors.

She offered a letter with regard to offering training opportunities for Ghanaian pilots in Turkey.

Joseph Kofi Adda mentioned government’s burning desire to make Ghana the aviation hub in the sub region is on course reiterating the administration’s position on setting up a training academy for pilots and other professionals.

“Some parties have contacted us to construct airports, others want to introduce flights while some others interest has to do with other sectors like trade,” Hon. Adda stated.

Hon. Kofi Adda also stated that the building of airports helps stimulate the development of cities around the airports. He was delighted that the process started by the previous Turkish ambassador to have more Ghanaian presence in the aviation space is being sustained by the new ambassador.