Joseph Nikpe is the Minister of Transport
Ghana is pressing ahead with plans to construct a new air traffic control tower, link key airport terminals and re-establish a national airline as part of efforts to position the country as an aviation hub in West Africa, Transport Minister, Joseph Nikpe has said.
Speaking at the launch of activities to mark the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) 40th anniversary, Nikpe said the projects form part of a coordinated strategy to strengthen infrastructure, regulatory oversight and aviation security.
He said construction of a new control tower is underway at Kotoka International Airport, alongside plans to build a connecting concourse linking Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
The project is intended to ease congestion at Terminal 3 during peak hours and reposition Terminal 2 to handle both domestic and international passengers.
“In addition to this, you can all witness for yourselves that a tremendous amount of policy and infrastructure investments are ongoing – including the construction of a new air traffic control tower and a connecting concourse linking Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 to ease congestion during peak hours,” Nikpe said.
“All this is geared toward His Excellency’s vision of making Ghana the aviation hub of West Africa.”
The minister said government is also upgrading regional airports at Wa and Tamale to meet international standards, while Ho airport is expected to support pilot training programmes.
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These facilities are expected to improve connectivity within the country.
The minister reaffirmed that plans are underway to re-establish a national carrier within the next few months.
He said the airline will complement existing aviation infrastructure and operate under sound commercial principles.
“Plans are underway to re-establish a national airline. It is with this objective of seeing its operation within the next few months that we have hope and confidence in you and the work you do on a daily basis,” he said.
“I am confident that your good work will see this airline operate with sound business management.”
The proposed carrier forms part of a broader aviation agenda under President John Dramani Mahama, who has outlined a strategy to expand Ghana’s role in regional air transport.
The minister said government has invested in aviation security technology and data systems to strengthen surveillance and airspace management.
He added that regulatory reforms, including the Ghana Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2016 (Act 906), have aligned Ghana’s aviation framework with international conventions and protocols.
The separation of airport management from regulatory oversight has also improved accountability, he said, with the GCAA focusing solely on safety and compliance.
In 2023, GCAA ranked first among 60 state-owned enterprises and placed second overall among public sector entities in the Public Enterprise Awards.
Nikpe said this recognition reflects strong governance, operational efficiency and financial discipline.
He described the anniversary as an opportunity to assess progress and prepare for future expansion, adding that the authority remains central to ensuring aviation developments meet international safety standards.
The minister also disclosed that government is working to rename Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport as part of repositioning efforts.
He commended the authority’s board, management and staff for maintaining safety standards over four decades and urged continued professionalism as Ghana expands its aviation footprint.
“We know that the skies will always be safe when you are at work,” he said.
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com