Can Aviation Shape The Future Of Ghana?

THE PAST

The articles that we have written on aviation in Ghana have been well received. However, there are still those who are stuck in past history and who refuse to look ahead to the immense opportunities that Ghana can and will take advantage of. To the doubters we say:

• It is not our agenda to criticize the government, neither past nor present. Our mission is to build and develop public opinion - that Ghana may in the near future see a strong, well managed, Ghanaian airline - for Ghanaians and in the interest of Ghana.

• Ghana Airways ceased operations some 5 years ago. Ongoing recriminations will not bring it back. May it rest in peace. GIA was grounded about 6 months ago and is mired in legal and financial problems. It hardly makes sense for the government to throw good money after bad to revive the company.

• It is time to break with the past and to accept a new and aggressive vision for the future.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

• WHEREAS THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA is recognized as a stable democracy; -

• WHEREAS Ghana, a country with a population of 24 million people, sustains dynamic and fast growing domestic and international commerce; -

• WHEREAS Ghana enjoys a strategically beneficial location at major African crossroads;

• WHEREAS the Government of Ghana wishes to rebuild and strengthen the infrastructure of the country; -

• WHEREAS revenue from a nascent oil industry makes urgent development possible; -

• WHERAS Ghanaians are very intelligent and can do people;-

.... GHANA SHOULD SUSTAIN AND SUPPORT A THRIVING AVIATION INDUSTRY

It is time that Ghana asserted itself as an African leader and reclaimed its place as a full participant in African aviation. While Ghana rebuilds its infrastructure, aviation should rank high on the list, as the provider of thousands of jobs, a facilitator of commerce - moving people and goods, and last but not least as a newfound basis of national pride.

THE CHALLENGES UP AHEAD:

AVIATION, BASED IN GHANA CAN BE CONSIDERED AS THREE DISTINCT ELEMENTS THAT FORM THE BIGGER PICTURE:

1) DOMESTIC AVIATION // Presently air service within Ghana is limited to a few small airlines serving 3 or 4 airports infrequently. This activity needs to be revitalized. The Government should encourage and support existing and new companies and flights added to existing and refurbished airports.

2) WEST AFRICA // International flights along the West African coastline are now operated by airlines based in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal. There are opportunities for a Ghanaian airline to reenter this scene in a major way, offering passenger and cargo services.

3) EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES // Ghana is destined to claim its place as an operator of an efficient and well managed airline on the lucrative routes between Accra and major destinations in Europe and the United States, where West Africans live, travel and do business.

THE DELIBERATIONS AND RESULTING DECISIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY STUDIES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT GHANA'S PAST HISTORY AND TODAY'S REALITIES WITH SOUND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

THE DELIBERATIONS TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING:

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE OR MORE AIRLINES THAT WOULD BE GHANAIAN OWNED AND OPERATED, - BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• African routes - from Europe as well as the United States are today the most lucrative in the world (IATA, ICAO).

• Africa is today the fastest growing sector of world aviation (http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1428)

• The collapse of Ghana Airways and Air Afrique has left a vacuum in West Africa, with no inter-national carrier based in the region, capable of competing with the European and American airline companies.

• Ghana needs a thriving domestic aviation sector that supports several airlines moving people and goods from all corners of the country. Ghanaians will patronize air transport when it is safe affordable for Just-In-Time business.

• Ghana needs its own airline to provide robust competition on the vast West African routes, between Douala to the east and Dakar to the west.

• Ghana should support its own international flag carrier to compete on the lucrative routes in Europe and the United States - for the transportation of passengers as well as cargo.

• The budding Ghana tourist industry needs a local carrier, with Ghana's interests at heart; willing and able to take a leading position in moving European tourists to Ghana's beaches and American heritage travelers to towns and villages to partake of Ghana's rich culture and traditions.

• A combination of domestic and international air cargo services will open markets in the United States and Europe for Ghanaian agricultural products that now are beyond reach.

• The majority of travelers between the United States and West Africa still travel via Europe, a practice that has caused immeasurable waste over the years in time and money. Business travelers, members of Frequent Flyer Programs may still wish to use the foreign carriers and fly via Europe, while most African passengers will prefer the most direct and economic route.

• A revival of aviation in Ghana will support countless other commercial activities; - aviation support services (MROs); import-export companies; tourism; hotel development; bus transportation; restaurant development; agriculture; construction; entertainment companies; the arts and crafts industries and many more.

• The revival of aviation in Ghana will stimulate the economy and employment. A sound aviation sector would generate and support thousands of jobs.

• Airports have been driving and shaping urban development in the 21st century as much as the highways did in 2oth century, railroads in the 19th century and seaports in the 18th century.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

It is clear, judging by the multiple responses to our articles that Ghanaians are in no mood to accept another governmental airline. It is generally accepted that the prior airline failures were due to corrupt and inept management. The building of trust and confidence will be one of the main challenges for the new airline that must be founded and operated, based on professionalism and transparency. The new airline should be a private enterprise, - possibly with minor government share-holding. The government should have no part in management of the corporation.

A VISION FOR GHANA & WEST AFRICA

During the colonial times, English-speaking Africans would tend to congregate in the UK for commercial, educational and sundry other reasons; the French speaking Africans would do the same in Paris; and those from the prior Portuguese territories would move to Lisbon. While these relations are still being cultivated and millions of Africans have made Europe their home, the United States has since long become the immigration magnet for millions of Africans, seeking education, commerce and opportunities for a better life. The immigrants tend to assemble in certain areas, drawing strength from one another.

Ghanaians have moved by the thousands to the Baltimore-Washington corridor, to the Atlanta area, to Chicago, Ohio ... They have seized upon the opportunities; many have been successful and they have joined the affluent American middle class.

These Ghanaians, - professionals, businessmen and others, have prospered to a point whereby they can afford traveling regularly back to the homeland, on business or with their extended families. This refers to a solid and forever growing customer base that exists for an African airline - in both Europe as well as in the United States. These customers will patronize an African airline, - as long as this airline offers acceptable, professional service. African-Americans will be just as excited about an African airline and other travelers will take advantage of direct flights between the US and West Africa, if the service is good and the price is right. Furthermore, - the success of the aviation industry in Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked to West Africa and the rest of Africa.

Air Afrique and Ghana Airways went out of business during the same period. Combined these airlines offered a wide route net. Today there is no airline that is dedicated to serve the huge customer base that is described in the above. This offers Ghana a unique opportunity - Is Ghana ready to rise to the occasion?

The concept of this presentation is the combined revitalization of general commerce, transportation and the development of the many industries that will support such activities. It is our mission to show the need to join the development of an airline with regional transportation, the marketing of food products and the processing and distribution of goods on both sides of the Atlantic.

The time for this project is overdue. Ghana needs the revitalization and rebuilding of its infrastructure.

Ghanaians living in Europe and the United States are willing and able to participate in an effort to generate employment for their country. It will open opportunities for some to move back to the homeland and for others to invest in Global TransPark businesses and development. Ghanaians at home - from fishermen to farmers; from mechanics to drivers; from merchants to entrepreneurs - will find new outlets for their goods and a use for their skills and talent. It is a win-win concept for all concerned.

Article by Joe Klatsi and Ingo Blondal

For the future of aviation in Ghana and West Africa, email us at aviationinfo@afrimeric.com

NEXT WEEK: The Development of Aviation Support Services in Ghana