The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has dismissed claims that a recently circulated aircraft branded Air Ghana Cargo is owned or operated by the government.
Appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the Minister clarified that the aircraft belongs to a private cargo transport company and has no connection to state operations.
The clarification follows widespread speculation after photographs of the aircraft surfaced online, triggering suggestions that the government had quietly acquired a new national airline asset.
Responding to questions from Deputy Ranking Member Davis Opoku Ansah, Mr. Nikpe stressed that Air Ghana is an independent private-sector-led aviation company financed and managed by private individuals.
According to him, the government holds no operational control or equity stake in the cargo airline.
The discussion at the committee sitting also shifted to government’s broader plans to re-establish a national carrier following the collapse of Ghana Airways.
Ranking Member of the committee, Samuel Atta Mills, reflected on the operational difficulties that plagued the defunct Ghana Airways, particularly persistent flight delays and scheduling inefficiencies that affected passenger confidence.
In response, the Transport Minister acknowledged that poor operational management contributed significantly to the collapse of previous state-linked airline ventures.
He indicated that lessons from the past are shaping government’s new strategy for a home-based carrier, which he said would be largely private-sector driven to avoid political interference and operational inefficiencies.
Mr. Nikpe revealed that the government intends to maintain only a minority stake in any future national airline arrangement while allowing private investors to lead operations and management.
According to him, the new aviation model is aimed at promoting efficiency, professionalism and strict adherence to international operational standards.
The Minister further assured the committee that the Ministry of Transport is engaging international aviation stakeholders, regulators and private financiers to ensure the success and sustainability of future airline operations in Ghana.
