The Staff of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) want government to limit its interference in the management of the new national airline
The workers believe the fortunes of the defunct Ghana Airways and the Ghana International Airline should prompt government to limit its interference this time round and ensure continuity.
Government through the Ministry of Transport is seeking a partner to re-establish the country’s national airline company.
The Ministry is however yet to announce its preferred partner after it issued a notice on expression of interest to accept bids from prospective partners last month.
However speaking on the processes so far, the Spokesperson for the staff of the GCAA, William Amoako believes limited government interference will translate in huge benefits accruing to the economy.
“There is too much interference from the government, management, politicians and even the workers themselves. Ghana is doing well internationally but why are we not doing well in the management of an airline company. Compare Ethiopian Airways, Rwand Air and Air Cote d’Ivoire to Ghana, these airline companies have grown to possess a lot of aircrafts. So if government can solely invest in the airline company or invite private participation and avoid excessive interference, we will indeed go places,” he stated.
Auditing firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), also the transaction advisor to the transport ministry in finding a partner company, has stressed on the need to get an experienced strategic airline partner with a global distribution network.
A report by the advisors settled on Qatar Airways as the best option for Ghana.
It has also named seven others including Delta and South African Airlines as good options for Ghana.
100 percent Ghanaian ownership is best
Meanwhile the workers have impressed on government to consider working toward a hundred percent ownership by Ghanaians.
While commending the PPP for the initial stages of the contract, the workers are also hopeful of substantial economic benefits such as employment and revenue following a hundred percent Ghanaian ownership.
“If government has the wherewithal and the ownership is 100 percent that would have been the best. But if it doesn’t have and partners an international company, that will be the beginning of it,” William Amoah further noted.
He added, “Partnerships at times even work very effectively for instance KLM partners Kenya Airways and that has contributed to its effectiveness. So partnership in itself is a good thing but when you have the financial and human resources to establish a national airline,that will be the best.”
citibusiness