Re-Establishment Of A National Airline

COMMENTARY ON THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL AIRLINE -THE WAY FORWARD

For the umpteenth time government has publicly  restated  its commitment towards the establishment of a national airline. Giving impetus to this intention in the last meet the press series, the
Minister of Transport Dzifa Attivor re-echoed government's pledge to
establish a new national  carrier.

She took the commitment a notch
higher this week by contracting  a Transaction Adviser to recommend
to government on  the best way  forward.   

President Mahama in his last State of the Nation Address repeated the pledge of his predecessor to restore the pride  of the country in the sky.  

A national Airline under whatever nomenclature is a must! All that the
travelling Ghanaian public want to hear and see, is the maiden flight
in the shortest possible time.  It is significant for Ghana to own its
flag carrier because of the positive impact this will have on the economy.  

Ghana’s economy is fast growing despite the challenges and a
national carrier will boost that growth significantly.  Globally, 58
point one million people are directly employed by aviation. 

The industry also contributes two point-four trillion dollars to the
global economic index. Moreover, the airline industry contributes three point-four percent to global GDP.  In overall terms, it is projected that this year, over three billion passengers will board an aircraft somewhere on earth. 

Some will be heading off on holidays,
whilst others  will be travelling for business and others will be flying to see friends and relatives.  Turning to trade which today is the biggest attraction of many Ghanaians, the role of air transport in global trade is momentous.  

The high value and perishable goods that
aviation transports by cargo airline are of great importance for the jobs it creates  worldwide.  In all, these comparative analysis and projection of airline economics, the question is, How much is Ghana’s share in all these? 

Once upon a time between 1958 and 1961, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah blazed the trail by establishing a national carrier and an infrastructure to support it.

Accra became a real hub in the sub-region with  unparalleled technical human resource and training facilities comparable to any airline globally. By 2004, the country’s star in the sky-Ghana Airways was liquidated and its properties  were  dissipated, shared, looted and
sold.  

Unfortunately, the malaise that destroyed  Ghana Airways became an iconic reference and classical example of failed state
institutions.  Prior to this, the options that confronted the then government were which way forward to restore the fortunes of the ailing carrier. 

Was it re-capitalization, partnership or
privatisation? None of these were considered. But what the government
then saw worthwhile  was liquidation. Quickly, Policy makers established  Ghana International Airline, which also did not last.  In the attempt to chart a new path now, the state must be guided by the
numerous pitfalls that led to the demise of the national carrier.

Talents, expertise and trained human resource abound in this country and elsewhere as far as airline operations are concerned and can be procured to operate a resurgent carrier. The state should as much  as possible disengage itself  from the operations of the new airline. 

It should  be allowed to operate as a purely- Public-Private entity which is in business to compete with giants and well endowed global carriers in a rather volatile and capital intensive business. There is no point re-inventing the wheel, we should just learn from history and the
successes of others. It will make business sense if the proposed carrier will start with servicing routes within the sub- region and on  the continent where there is  growing market and then grow from
there. 

Steps should be taken to fashion out a policy that will perpetually insulate the national airline from any political
interference , no matter which party is in power.  Since the new entity will need critical physical infrastructure, the tax payer should as a matter of urgency begin the process to recover all properties of the erstwhile Ghana Airways, be they land, building, equipment and investments appropriated by private individuals for
whatever reason.  

All efforts should be expended in going for a new national carrier which when properly  managed can yield dividends.
Aviation provides revenue to the state, it is an employer and delivers extensive  benefits to international trade and  tourism. 

Ghana, must go for it, Our star and colours in the sky we shall behold again.

BY WILLIAM HAYEH (JOURNALIST)