President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, opened the First West Africa Airshow, with the call on stakeholders to provide air connectivity towards developing African economies.
He said the vision of the Government was to make aviation the hub of Africa providing connectivity to the sub-region.
The President was speaking at the opening of the First Aerospace and Aviation Exhibition of West Africa in Accra on the theme: “Connecting Aviation Professionals across All Areas of the Industry with the African Market”.
The event, which is the first Aerospace and Aviation Exhibition of West Africa, would provide an opportunity for manufacturers and service providers in the sector to explore and meet potential customers.
It was also put together with the view to position the African Aviation Industry at the forefront of regional and global interests.
He commended the Minister of Aviation for organising the event to showcase businesses, promote networking and the industry.
He said air transport was an industry that served as a catalyst to socio-economic growth.
He said Airports supported 6.8 million jobs in Africa; while the growth of Ghana’s aviation was 7.9 per cent per annum.
The Government, he said, re-created the Aviation Ministry and made it highly competitive in the promotion of the industry.
He explained that the Ministry was spearheading the efforts in making the airports to become one of the best in Africa.
The projects for these include the construction of the Terminal 3, provision of modern navigation systems, and the construction of the Phase ll of the Tamale and Kumasi Airports.
The Government, the President said, had given the policy approval for the establishment of a National carrier to enhance the needed connectivity in Africa.
He said Ghana had showed immense commitment to the African connectivity by signing on to the Yamoussoukro Agreement, which 44 African leaders signed to ensure Africa’s connectivity.
President Akufo-Addo said the Government had also been creating the conditions for the private sector to venture into the aviation industry.
He announced that Mr Asamoah Gyan, the Captain of the Black Stars, had obtained a license from the Government to operate an airline in the country.
“The airline, Baby Jet Airlines, is expected to commence operations soon,” he added.
The President said the Government was poised to creating a people-friendly economy for doing business in Africa, while promoting the development of the economy.
He, therefore, called on the investor community to partner with their Ghanaian counterparts to network and engage in business operations to the benefit of all.
He commended the Ghana Airports Company for winning a safety awards for their security measures.
Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Aviation, said the outlook for the Aviation industry remained bright.
She said the topics and panelists had been carefully chosen to deliberate on issues that would promote the interest of the industry.
GNA
By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Credit: ModernGhana.com
