GCAA Holds Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting to Address Key Aviation Sector Issues

GCAA Holds Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting to Address Key Aviation Sector Issues

11 June 2025, Accra, Ghana – The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has held a Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting to discuss pressing issues affecting the aviation industry.

Opening the meeting, the Acting Director-General of the GCAA, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, expressed his appreciation to President John Mahama for the trust placed in him to lead the Authority. “It is an honour I do not take lightly, and I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency,” he said.

Rev. Arthur noted that the event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in open and constructive dialogue in a cordial atmosphere, with the aim of realigning their shared vision and charting a renewed course for the future of civil aviation in Ghana. He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to its core mandate as a regulator, dedicated to safety, security, and operational excellence at all times.

He also highlighted Ghana’s position as a leading state in Africa in terms of the effective implementation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards on safety, security, environment, and facilitation. Rev. Arthur outlined several strategic pillars intended to advance the industry, including regulatory innovation, stakeholder engagement, investment in training, and the strengthening of accountability and responsiveness in the Authority’s regulatory functions to promote trust, efficiency, and excellence.

In his remarks, he provided updates on key ongoing projects such as the construction of a modern Air Traffic Control Centre, the upcoming implementation of the Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, the digitalisation of critical regulatory functions, the expansion of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) protocols, and the reinforcement of sustainability initiatives in alignment with ICAO’s long-term environmental targets.

For his part, the Minister of Transport, Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, stated that Ghana has experienced an increase in passenger volumes. In 2024, over 2.6 million passengers used Ghana’s airspace, representing a growth of more than 18 percent compared to the previous year. He further noted that from January to April 2025, Ghana recorded 1.1 million passengers and expressed optimism that the numbers would increase by the end of the year.

According to him, the growth in the industry is due to the immense contributions of all stakeholders in ensuring safety, efficiency, and excellent service delivery. Mr. Nikpe added that the government envisions positioning Ghana’s aviation sector at the top, and President John Mahama, through the Ministry of Transport and its agencies, has initiated several projects to improve infrastructure.

The Minister emphasized that Ghana cannot achieve a world-class aviation sector without the active contribution of all stakeholders. He also urged all airlines to remain committed to maintaining safety in the aviation sector.

He reiterated that the government, through the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), is repurposing Terminal Two into two sections—one to handle international passengers and the other for domestic passenger overflow.

Furthermore, he stated that the government is working to establish a national airline to proudly carry Ghana’s name.

Additionally, the Minister mentioned that the government is extending the runway of the Kumasi Airport from 1,981 to 2,320 metres to accommodate medium-sized aircraft. “We are doing all these to position ourselves to become the hub of aviation in West Africa,” Mr. Nikpe added.

He also said the government plans to make good use of the Ho Airport by establishing a pilot training academy that will create job opportunities, boost the local economy, and provide the necessary human resources for the aviation sector.

The Minister appealed to international airlines to use in-flight catering services that offer Ghanaian dishes and to display news stories from the Graphic Communications Group.

Several members of the GCAA Executive Management also delivered presentations on their respective portfolios. These included Mr. Franklin Gyamera (Director, Safety Regulations), Mr. David Akuamoah (Director, Air Traffic Services), and Madam Patience Bonsu (Acting Director, Economic Regulations and Business Development).

The event was attended by the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, Madam Mabel Sagoe, representatives from local airlines such as Africa World Airlines (AWA) and PassionAir, as well as various stakeholders in the aviation sector.